Bitchat Downloads Spike During Madagascar Crisis

Key Takeaways

• Bitchat downloads have surged in Madagascar amidst violent protests over basic utilities, as citizens reject state-controlled communication.

• The trend follows similar spikes in Nepal and Indonesia, positioning Bitchat as a key tool in digital resistance.

• Decentralized, encrypted, and offline-capable, Bitchat offers secure communication during civil unrest and government crackdowns.

• Users value Bitchat not just for messaging, but for resilience, autonomy, and censorship resistance in high-stakes environments.

• As global unrest grows, decentralized platforms like Bitchat are redefining how movements organize and survive in the digital age.

Protesters Fuel Bitchat Boom In Madagascar

As thousands take to the streets of Antananarivo, demanding access to reliable water and electricity, state efforts to control communication have backfired.

Protesters are flocking to Bitchat, a decentralized, censorship-resistant messaging app, to organize, share updates, and communicate securely beyond the reach of authorities.

Source: X (@callebtc)

Government Crackdown Meets Decentralized Resistance

The demonstrations escalated last Thursday when police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds who had blocked roads and vandalized public and private property, including malls, banks, and homes linked to allies of President Andry Rajoelina.

In response, protesters began moving offline, not to silence, but to shift platforms.

How Bitchat Works: Decentralization In Action

No Internet? No Problem

What sets Bitchat apart is its ability to function without internet access. The app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to form mesh networks, allowing messages to hop from one device to another within a 30-meter range.

These networks are also P2P (Peer-to-Peer), requiring no centralized servers.

Privacy By Design

Unlike traditional messaging apps, Bitchat requires no phone number, email address, or user registration. It leverages X25519 key exchange and AES-256-GCM encryption to ensure that messages remain private and secure, even in volatile conditions.

Each device acts as both client and server, making the network incredibly resilient. This design effectively eliminates single points of failure, making it nearly impossible for authorities to shut down communication.

Bitchat & The Rise Of Decentralized Protest Tools

This surge in Madagascar mirrors a global pattern.

In recent weeks, Nepali protesters also turned to Bitchat after their government imposed a nationwide ban on major social media platforms. Over 48,000 downloads were recorded in Nepal alone, according to sources close to the project.

Likewise, in Indonesia, a similar wave of downloads followed public unrest, marking Bitchat as a recurring tool of choice for people operating under digital repression.

Source: X (@callebtc)

Bitchat: From Messaging App To Movement Infrastructure

More than just a communication tool, Bitchat is emerging as a digital lifeline in times of crisis.

Its utility during social upheaval demonstrates a broader global shift, communities under pressure are rejecting centralized systems in favor of tools that offer autonomy, privacy, and resilience.

A New Form Of Digital Protest

As traditional networks falter or are deliberately disabled, decentralized platforms like Bitchat have become essential.

For many users, Bitchat isn’t simply a way to communicate, it’s a form of resistance.

FAQ

What is Bitchat?

Bitchat is a decentralized messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey’s team. It enables secure, encrypted communication without requiring internet, mobile data, or user registration.

How does Bitchat work without the internet?

Bitchat uses Bluetooth mesh networking to pass encrypted messages between nearby devices, functioning even in completely offline environments.

Is Bitchat safe to use during protests?

Yes. Bitchat is designed with end-to-end encryption and no identifiable user information, making it far more secure than traditional apps during politically sensitive events.

Why is Bitchat popular in protest regions?

Its decentralized and offline-friendly design makes it ideal for situations where governments block internet access or monitor communications.

Can governments block or ban Bitchat?

Bitchat’s architecture makes it extremely difficult to block. Since it operates peer-to-peer without centralized servers, it can function even under heavy censorship.