- Ugandan regulators claim they can block Bitchat despite claims about its resilience.
- Developer Calle rejects these claims based on the app's decentralized nature.
- Over 400,000 Ugandans are currently using Bitchat for communication.
Bitchat developer Calle has dismissed Uganda's claim it can block the app, emphasizing its decentralized design which lacks centralized servers or accounts, making it resistant to restrictions.
Calle's stance highlights tensions around technology and government control, raising questions about internet freedom and communication security, especially before Uganda's upcoming elections.
Bitchat developers have contested claims from the Uganda Communications Commission about their ability to block the app. The developer, known as Calle, stated on X that Bitchat's decentralized Bluetooth mesh design renders it difficult to obstruct.
The Uganda Communications Commission, represented by Executive Director Nyombi Thembo, claimed they can disable Bitchat. Jack Dorsey, who initiated Bitchat, endorsed its use for encrypted messaging, leveraging a 10 to 100-meter Bluetooth range.
Concern arises ahead of Uganda's elections as access to reliable communication tools remains critical. Bobi Wine, the Ugandan opposition leader, has encouraged Bitchat downloads citing its potential role during network lockdowns. Calle emphasized, “You can’t stop Bitchat. You can’t stop us," noting over 400,000 Ugandan downloads and calling the app "Free and open source. Unstoppable. From the people for the people."
Past internet shutdowns in Uganda have prompted discussion on the government’s intention to restrict unfettered communication. Such actions have historically hindered informal networks and electoral processes.
Over 400,000 Ugandans have downloaded Bitchat according to internal data. This surge aligns with a history where similar communication tools become more prevalent during political tensions or government-imposed blackouts.
Historically, apps like Bitchat gain momentum during unrest as seen in Madagascar, Nepal, and Indonesia. Given its decentralized technology, seemingly insurmountable regulatory challenges might persist, leading to longer-term implications on digital communication liberalization.
The growing reliance on digital communication highlights the changing dynamics of information dissemination, supported by platforms like BingX.