Bitchat is a new messaging app that allows users to chat securely with or without internet access. Download it today via the App Store or Google Play store to begin communicating safely, even when connectivity disappears.
Why Bitchat is needed
Palestinians are dependent on Israel for their access to electricity, telecoms, and internet routing. Israel has weaponized this dependence in Gaza by deliberately causing blackouts that have left Palestinians cut off from communicating with each other or with the outside world. The relentless bombing campaign has also destroyed or severely crippled any remaining communication infrastructure.
Even when Palestinians use regular communication methods, their conversations and messages can be monitored and recorded , leaving them exposed to surveillance and potential targeting.
The basic human right to communicate freely, and without interruption, has been denied to the Palestinian people.
The solution
Bitchat lets you keep messaging even when the internet or power is down. It connects phones directly through Bluetooth, and each phone helps pass messages along, allowing communication to stretch much farther than just your immediate area. Everything is fully encrypted so your conversations stay private.
When you do have internet or cell service, Bitchat can send your messages anywhere in the world using a network of relays. There is no central server that stores any of your data. You don’t need to create an account, share your phone number or email, or even have a SIM card to use it.
Staying connected when all else fails
Bitchat is an Israel-proof messaging alternative that continues to work even when traditional networks are shut down. The app also has “Geohash” channels that allows users to join location-based chats, so Palestinians can stay connected to their neighbors down the street or to the larger community in cities across the region.
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