Jack Dorsey's Bitchat Becomes Critical Infrastructure in Uganda and Iran Amid Internet Shutdowns

When governments shut down the internet, they aim to sever communication channels, organize crackdowns, and control information flows. But a little-known offline messaging app launched by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has emerged as a key lifeline for Ugandans cut off from the internet and Iranians facing government-imposed shutdowns.

Bitchat operates on a fundamentally different architecture than traditional messaging apps. Instead of routing messages through centralized servers that governments can block or monitor, it uses Bluetooth mesh networking to create a decentralized web of devices. Each phone becomes a node that can relay messages to other nearby phones, effectively creating a local network that spans across physical spaces without requiring any internet connection.

How the Technology Actually Works

The technical implementation relies on what's called a "store-and-forward" mechanism. When you send a message through Bitchat, it doesn't travel directly to the recipient. Instead, it gets stored on your device and automatically shared with any other Bitchat user who comes within Bluetooth range (typically 30-100 meters). That person's device then stores the message and forwards it to the next person they encounter.

This creates a chain of digital couriers. Messages hop from device to device until they reach their intended recipient, or until they expire after a set time period. The app uses cryptographic signatures to ensure messages aren't tampered with, and implements a form of onion routing where each hop only knows the immediate previous and next device, not the ultimate source or destination.

The system has limitations. It works best in dense urban areas where people are constantly moving through public spaces, creating natural relay points. Rural areas with sparse populations present challenges. Message delivery can take hours or even days, making it unsuitable for real-time conversation but effective for broadcasting important information.

Uganda: The Test Case

In Uganda, the government has a history of shutting down internet access during politically sensitive moments. The most recent shutdown occurred during contested elections, when authorities cut mobile data and blocked social media platforms. Citizens turned to Bitchat as one of the few remaining communication options.

The app's adoption pattern in Uganda reveals interesting dynamics. Initial users were primarily activists and opposition supporters who had already been using VPNs and other privacy tools. As shutdowns persisted, ordinary citizens downloaded the app, creating a more robust mesh network. The critical mass reached a tipping point where messages could reliably travel across significant distances within Kampala.

Local reports indicate that Bitchat became essential for coordinating supply chains when traditional logistics broke down. Market vendors used it to communicate with suppliers, families checked on relatives in different neighborhoods, and medical workers shared information about which clinics remained operational.

Iran: Circumventing the Halal Internet

Iran presents an even more sophisticated censorship environment. The government has developed what's often called the "halal internet" - a heavily monitored and filtered national network that attempts to isolate Iranian citizens from the global internet while providing state-approved services.

During recent protests, Iranian authorities implemented near-total internet blackouts. This is where Bitchat's offline architecture proved most valuable. Unlike VPNs or Tor, which still require some internet connectivity to function, Bitchat works entirely without it.

Iranian activists have reportedly used the app to share footage of protests, coordinate safe meeting points, and alert others to police movements. The decentralized nature makes it difficult for authorities to shut down completely without confiscating individual devices - a much more resource-intensive operation than flipping a switch at an ISP.

However, the Iranian government has responded by increasing Bluetooth jamming in known protest areas and conducting random device checks. This has created a cat-and-mouse game where users must be strategic about when and where they use the app.

The Broader Pattern of Decentralized Resistance

Bitchat's emergence reflects a larger trend toward decentralized communication tools designed to resist censorship. Similar projects include Briar, which uses Tor and Bluetooth; Bridgefy, which gained attention during Hong Kong protests; and various mesh networking initiatives.

These tools share common characteristics:

• No central servers that can be seized or blocked
• End-to-end encryption to protect message content
• Offline functionality that doesn't rely on internet infrastructure
• Open-source code that allows security auditing

But they also face shared challenges:

• Scalability issues in low-density areas
• Battery drain from constant Bluetooth scanning
• User experience barriers for non-technical users
• Legal risks in jurisdictions where encryption is restricted

Counter-Perspectives and Limitations

Not everyone sees Bitchat as an unqualified good. Security researchers have pointed out potential vulnerabilities. The mesh network could theoretically be used to spread malware if someone compromised a device and injected malicious messages. The Bluetooth protocol itself has known security weaknesses that sophisticated attackers could exploit.

There's also the question of surveillance. While message content may be encrypted, the metadata - who talks to whom, when, and from where - can still be collected by devices that participate in the network. A government could potentially deploy its own nodes to map social networks.

Some privacy advocates argue that Bitchat's design might inadvertently create a false sense of security. Users might share sensitive information they would otherwise keep offline, not realizing that the network's distributed nature creates different kinds of exposure.

The Infrastructure Question

What's particularly significant about Bitchat's success is what it says about modern infrastructure dependency. Internet shutdowns were once considered extreme measures that would cause too much economic and social disruption. But as governments have become more comfortable using them, the need for resilient alternatives has grown.

Bitchat represents a shift from relying on physical infrastructure (cell towers, fiber optic cables) to leveraging the infrastructure everyone already carries in their pockets. Every smartphone becomes a potential relay station, creating a communication network that exists independently of official systems.

This has implications beyond protest scenarios. Natural disasters that damage communication infrastructure could also benefit from mesh networking. Rural areas without reliable internet access might find utility in these tools. Communities seeking privacy from commercial data collection could use them as alternatives to mainstream platforms.

Looking Forward

The success of Bitchat in Uganda and Iran will likely accelerate development of similar tools. We're seeing increased interest in:

• Satellite-based alternatives like Starlink, which can bypass ground infrastructure entirely
• Store-and-forward protocols that work across multiple transport layers
• Incentive mechanisms to encourage people to keep mesh network apps running
• Integration with existing apps to make the technology more accessible

Governments will respond with more sophisticated countermeasures. Bluetooth jamming, device confiscation, and legal penalties for using encryption tools are already being deployed. The technological arms race between censorship and circumvention continues to escalate.

What makes Bitchat notable is not just its technical design, but its origin. Jack Dorsey, who built one of the world's most centralized social networks in Twitter, is now funding tools designed to work without any central authority. It's a recognition that the architecture of communication has political consequences, and that decentralization might be necessary to preserve free expression in an era of increasing state control over digital infrastructure.

For citizens in Uganda, Iran, and potentially other countries facing similar challenges, Bitchat offers something increasingly rare: a communication channel that cannot be easily turned off. Whether that proves to be a temporary workaround or the foundation of a new communication paradigm depends on how both governments and users adapt to this emerging technological landscape.

The app itself remains relatively obscure outside activist circles, but its use case demonstrates a fundamental truth about modern communication: when centralized systems fail or become oppressive, decentralized alternatives emerge to fill the void. The question is whether these alternatives can scale fast enough to meet growing demand, and whether they can maintain their security and usability as they attract mainstream users under pressure.

Related: For more on mesh networking and decentralized communication, see the Bitchat GitHub repository and Briar's documentation. The Electronic Frontier Foundation maintains guides on secure communication during protests.