In recent discourse surrounding communication technologies that resist censorship and maintain connectivity in restricted environments, billionaire investor Bill Ackman recently pointed to Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat as an example of an application that may provide significant utility in countries experiencing internet shutdowns. Ackman, who oversees Pershing Square Capital Management, highlighted the app's decentralized approach, which leverages Bluetooth to send messages directly between devices without relying on traditional internet connectivity.
Bitchat is a messaging platform developed by Block, formerly known as Square, co-founded by Dorsey. The application facilitates peer-to-peer communication by creating ad hoc networks through Bluetooth connections between devices within a limited range of approximately 30 meters. This method enables the transmission of messages even when conventional internet routes are disabled or blocked.
The relevance of Bitchat to real-world censorship is acute in places like Iran, where authorities have implemented severe internet blackouts amidst widespread anti-regime protests that escalated in the early weeks of 2026. The government-enforced shutdown has restricted access to communication channels and hindered independent reporting on protest developments and fatalities. Under these circumstances, alternative modes of messaging that do not depend on centralized internet infrastructure gain critical importance.
Acknowledging these conditions, Ackman commented on social media that Bitchat "may be useful in Iran," underscoring the app’s potential to maintain lines of communication during blackouts. His remarks resonated with several users who agreed on the application’s prospective utility under such oppressive internet constraints.
Nevertheless, there are limitations to Bitchat's deployment in affected regions. One notable concern raised in the conversations is the necessity for an initial internet connection to download and install the application. This prerequisite constrains Bitchat’s immediate accessibility during comprehensive internet shutdowns when downloading apps is not feasible. The implication is that for people to benefit from Bitchat, prior access to web connectivity is required before an internet blackout or in locations where partial connectivity exists.
Examining the technical structure of Bitchat reveals that it enables what is termed "ephemeral messaging." As explained in its white paper, messages sent through Bitchat reside solely in the device memory and are not retained in any centralized database, enhancing privacy and reducing the risk of data interception or retention by authorities. Communication within the network extends through bridge nodes that link multiple Bluetooth clusters, effectively extending the reach of messages beyond the direct 30-meter device-to-device range.
An innovative feature of Bitchat includes the ability to send Bitcoin transactions via the app. This incorporates a financial communication facet into the platform, allowing peer-to-peer value exchange alongside messaging. The integration of Bitcoin transactions within a censorship-resistant communication layer hints at broader potential for financial transactions without reliance on traditional internet infrastructure.
Despite the promise Bitchat holds, not all adaptations are equally effective. Recently, a clone of the Bitchat application surfaced, targeting Iranian users. However, a developer associated with the original Bitchat platform highlighted several technical and presumably security issues within this cloned version, implying that it may not meet the standards or robustness of the original app. Such discrepancies pose risks for users relying on unofficial or unauthorized versions, especially in matters concerning security and reliability critical in restrictive environments.
In summary, while decentralized Bluetooth messaging apps like Bitchat offer a novel approach to sustaining communication in censored or shut-down internet spaces, practical constraints like initial app access and the integrity of replicas limit their immediate impact. Continuing developments and careful monitoring of these technologies will be essential to assess their evolving role in censorship circumvention and communication resilience.