Jack Dorsey's Bitchat Ranks No. 2 in Jamaica Amid Hurricane Melissa Crisis

As Hurricane Melissa continues to churn through the Caribbean, causing widespread power and internet outages, Jack Dorsey's decentralized messaging app Bitchat has rapidly become the second-most downloaded app on both the Apple App Store and Google Play in Jamaica. The app, which allows users to send encrypted messages without an internet connection, trails only the weather tracking platform Zoom Earth, highlighting the critical needs for communication and information during the disaster.

Launched in July 2025, Bitchat utilizes Bluetooth mesh networking to enable peer-to-peer message exchange between nearby phones, functioning as a lifeline in areas where traditional networks have failed. This technology has been instrumental in Jamaica, where the hurricane has killed over 30 people and disrupted services for millions, with local volunteers and community groups deploying the app to organize humanitarian aid in severely affected regions.

The surge in downloads mirrors trends in other countries; for instance, Bitchat saw increased usage in Nepal during September amid government-imposed social media bans on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, as well as in Indonesia and Madagascar during protests and service outages. Experts note that this reflects a growing demand for communication tools that operate beyond centralized control, whether in natural disasters or political unrest.

Despite its utility, cybersecurity experts have raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities, such as impersonation attacks, though Dorsey has emphasized ongoing updates to enhance end-to-end encryption and message integrity. The app's design aligns with Dorsey's mission to promote decentralization, as it requires no phone number or centralized servers, relying solely on peer-to-peer connections.

This incident underscores how decentralized technologies can respond to real-world crises, with humanitarian organizations and governments exploring mesh-based solutions for future emergency plans, especially as climate change increases the frequency of powerful hurricanes.