Tech entrepreneur Jack Dorsey has launched a new messaging app called Bitchat, which does not need the internet or personal information to work. Dorsey called it a “weekend project.” The app lets people send messages directly to each other using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks. This means you can message someone nearby (within about 300 meters) even if there’s no mobile network or Wi-Fi.

The app is currently in beta testing and was released on Apple’s TestFlight. However, all early access spots were quickly taken. According to a document on GitHub, Bitchat works by turning each phone into both a sender and a receiver. Messages can also “hop” from one phone to another to reach someone farther away, which increases how far the app can work.

Importantly, Bitchat does not need a phone number, email, or any account to work. It also does not rely on servers or any central control, which means it is harder to block or censor and can keep working even if networks go down. Messages are saved only temporarily on the device. If the person you messaged is not connected at that moment, the app will keep the message and send it when they reconnect.

There is a system for how long messages stay. Normal messages are automatically deleted after 12 hours, but messages you mark as “favourites” stay forever. For safety, Bitchat uses strong end-to-end encryption to keep messages private. It combines advanced encryption methods (Curve25519 and AES-GCM) to protect data.

Bitchat also has features like tagging people using mentions and creating topic-based rooms, similar to channels on apps like Discord. These rooms can have passwords to keep them private. Dorsey said that Bitchat stands out among other messaging apps because it doesn’t use servers or require any personal details. This makes it a good alternative to apps that can be easily watched or controlled.