Bitchat Developer Challenges Uganda’s Claim It Can Shut Down App - Full Analysis

A developer behind Jack Dorsey–linked messaging app Bitchat questioned Uganda’s claim that it can disable the service ahead of next week’s election.

One of the developers behind decentralized messaging app Bitchat has dismissed Uganda’s claim that it can block the service, after authorities threatened a shutdown ahead of upcoming elections.

On Monday, the Uganda Communications Commission executive director, Nyombi Thembo, said his team has the technical know-how to turn off Bitchat.

Bitchat leverages Bluetooth mesh networks, enabling encrypted communication without the need for an internet connection.

It saw a huge rise in downloads last week after opposition leader Bobi Wine encouraged locals to install the app in case the government shuts down the internet, which they have done in previous elections.

“We know how it can be made not to work,” Thembo said while claiming that he works with the highest concentration of software developers and engineers in the country.

Data shared by Calle on Monday showed that over 400,000 Ugandans have already downloaded the app.

“You can’t stop Bitchat. You can’t stop us,” Calle said in a post on X, while urging more Ugandan developers to contribute to open-source projects.

During the 2016 election, long-time Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni imposed a nationwide block on internet and social media access, citing security and safety concerns.

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Source: CoinTelegraph