Bitchat's Mesh Network Demonstrates Strength Amid Jamaica's Failing Infrastructure

Bitchat, a decentralized messaging platform created by Jack Dorsey, has quickly become the second most downloaded app in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa’s Category 5 winds devastated the country’s internet and mobile networks, leaving millions cut off from standard communication. The app, which operates via Bluetooth mesh networks to provide secure, offline messaging, now sits just below the weather app Zoom Earth on the

App Store and Google Play. This surge reflects Jamaicans’ urgent need to stay updated on the storm and stay in touch with family, according to .

Hurricane Melissa, with winds reaching 185 mph, has claimed more than 30 lives across the Caribbean—including 23 in Haiti—and caused extensive damage to homes and businesses. As Jamaica’s internet access dropped to just 30% of normal levels, based on data from NetBlocks, Bitchat’s peer-to-peer system has become a vital resource. The app lets users send messages through a network of Bluetooth-connected devices, forming a decentralized system that works without conventional infrastructure, as reported by

.

"This is precisely the kind of situation Bitchat was built for," said Calle, one of the app’s co-creators, in a conversation with Decrypt. "When electricity and cell service are down, people need a way to share urgent information—like shelter locations or emergency warnings—without depending on centralized networks." Calle also mentioned that Bitchat’s “location notes” feature, which attaches messages to specific map points, has been used in Jamaica to highlight safe areas and alert others to dangers, according to

.

The app’s popularity in Jamaica echoes its use during emergencies elsewhere. In September, Bitchat saw a spike in downloads in Nepal during government-imposed internet shutdowns amid anti-corruption protests, with similar trends in Indonesia and Madagascar during network outages. These cases point to a rising need for decentralized solutions in both natural disasters and political crises, Cointelegraph noted.

The European Union’s proposed “Chat Control” regulation—which would require encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp to scan messages before encryption—has further emphasized the value of apps like Bitchat. The law, postponed until December after constitutional concerns from Germany, has sparked intense debate about privacy and government surveillance, according to Cointelegraph. Meanwhile, Bitchat’s decentralized approach—operating without central servers or regulatory control—has made it a robust option in areas where internet access is unstable or restricted by authorities.

In Jamaica, Bitchat’s rapid adoption has also highlighted the vulnerability of centralized communication systems. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico reported that airports in Kingston and Montego Bay had to close for humanitarian operations due to storm damage, making it even harder to restore communications. With 2.8 million people affected by outages, Bitchat’s ability to work offline has become essential for organizing local relief, according to

.

Bitchat’s success in Jamaica has caught the attention of privacy supporters. “In disaster situations where regular infrastructure collapses, tools like Bitchat are indispensable,” said Dr. Elena Vasquez, a digital resilience expert at the University of the West Indies. “They give communities the power to communicate independently of corporate or government-controlled networks.”

As Hurricane Melissa continues to cause destruction, Bitchat’s unexpected rise demonstrates the increasing reliance on decentralized technology during emergencies. With climate disasters becoming more frequent worldwide, the app’s Bluetooth-based mesh network could serve as a model for future emergency communication—sidestepping the weaknesses of centralized systems in favor of resilient, community-driven networks, as reported by Yahoo.