Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, has thrown his support behind a new messaging application called White Noise.

His endorsement follows the recent release of his white paper for Bitchat, a Bluetooth-based messaging platform without internet connectivity.

Bitchat aims to be a privacy-first chat app that ditches the internet altogether to create localized chat rooms. Phones link up via Bluetooth Low Energy to form an ad hoc mesh where every device relays, stores, and forwards end-to-end encrypted messages. Thus, chats keep flowing, even through 30 m-hop chains, when networks are down or censored.

No phone numbers, servers, or permanent IDs are needed, and ephemeral storage plus optional password-protected rooms round out a design meant for resilient, censorship-resistant communication anywhere people gather.

White Noise

White Noise is a more conventional privacy-first alternative to mainstream chat apps. It combines features commonly found on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Discord with the security architecture of platforms like Signal.

The goal is to offer secure peer-to-peer messaging without compromising on design or usability.

White Noise uses end-to-end encryption backed by strong cryptographic standards, including forward secrecy and post-compromise protection. These ensure that past and future messages remain secure even if encryption keys are compromised.

Unlike traditional centralized commercial apps that rely on email addresses or phone numbers, White Noise operates on a decentralized identity system built on Nostr’s infrastructure and the Messaging Layer Security (MLS).

This setup allows users to access their identity, data, and contact lists across different apps and platforms without being tied to a central service. It also allows users to communicate anonymously, an important feature in regions with widespread surveillance and internet censorship.

Instead of relying on centralized servers, White Noise is powered by a network of distributed nodes. If a government or internet service provider attempts to block access, users can switch relays or host their own, maintaining access without sacrificing privacy.

According to the project’s website, even if an ISP attempts to intercept data, only encrypted metadata is visible. Notably, this metadata does not expose the message content.

The project stated:

“Messages in White Noise are encrypted end-to-end and temporarily relayed through several Nostr servers, which cannot read them and don’t permanently store them. Relays act as transient delivery points, discarding data after transmission.”

Looking ahead, White Noise reportedly plans to introduce native Bitcoin payments via Lightning Network and Nostr zaps. This would enable financial transactions directly within chat windows.

The app will be open source, with code published on GitHub. It will be available across multiple platforms, including Nostr’s Zap Store, Google Play (upon approval), and Apple TestFlight.

What’s most interesting here is that Dorsey, while seemingly actively developing a novel ‘internet-free’ secure messaging app, appears content to promote potential competitors that share his privacy-first vision for global communications.

Mentioned in this article

Facepalm: Signal likes to present itself as the most private and secure messaging service around, but the nonprofit likely didn’t design the app for sharing classified plans regarding imminent military action. Yet earlier this month, senior U.S. government and military officials did just that. Signal’s president later defended the service amid renewed comparisons to WhatsApp.

Signal president Meredith Whittaker reiterated the messaging service’s commitment to secure encryption and privacy after top government officials reportedly discussed a classified military operation using the platform. The conversation, which included highly sensitive information, was leaked when the U.S. national security advisor accidentally invited The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief into the chat.

Jeff Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, said he didn’t believe he’d been invited to an online meeting about upcoming attacks on the Houthis in Yemen – until the strikes occurred just hours after being mentioned in the chatroom.

I wouldn’t say that Will and I are battling but I do disagree. Because there are big differences between Signal and WhatsApp.

Signal is the gold standard in private comms. We’re open source, nonprofit, and we develop and apply e2ee and privacy preserving tech across our system… https://t.co/ZU60z2vVHy

– Meredith Whittaker (@mer__edith) March 25, 2025

During the exchange, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other senior officials reportedly discussed specific targets, weaponry, and other sensitive details. Goldberg declined to publish those specifics, citing concerns about endangering military and intelligence personnel. A national security spokesperson later confirmed the authenticity of the message chain.

Beyond the sensitive information shared, the messages also revealed candid insights into the officials’ private opinions and communication styles. Vice President Vance reportedly expressed disagreement with President Trump over the strikes, arguing that they benefited Europe more than the U.S

After the operation, several officials celebrated with emojis, including a fist, a flexed bicep, an American flag, and a flame.

While U.S. officials often use Signal for routine communication, the app is not authorized for transmitting classified information. Such discussions are typically conducted on secure devices within protected facilities. Legal experts suggested that sharing classified details over Signal – particularly with the service configured to erase messages – may have violated the Espionage Act.

President Trump later defended the use of Signal, saying it was the best tool available at the time, as accessing secure facilities can be cumbersome.

In response to comparisons with WhatsApp, Whittaker emphasized Signal’s end-to-end encryption and privacy-first approach. The company also minimizes the amount of data it can disclose under subpoena.

By contrast, she pointed out that while WhatsApp uses Signal’s encryption technology under license, it does not protect metadata, contact lists, user IDs, or profile photos. Despite Signal’s encryption safeguards, devices using the app remain vulnerable to hacking and theft. The incident with Goldberg also highlights the persistent danger of human error.