Bitchat Secures Second Place in Jamaica’s App Rankings During Hurricane Crisis

Jamaicans have quickly turned to Jack Dorsey’s decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app Bitchat as Hurricane Melissa wreaks havoc across the Caribbean.

Bitchat — utilizing Bluetooth mesh networks for internet-free, encrypted communication — has become the second-most downloaded app on the Apple App Store and Google Play in Jamaica, serving as a vital resource for 2.8 million people as internet access continues to decline in the area.

Bitchat is only outpaced by the weather forecast platform Zoom Earth — highlighting that understanding the weather and maintaining communication are two of Jamaica’s most pressing needs at the moment.

CNN reported on Wednesday that Hurricane Melissa has claimed over 30 lives in the Caribbean, including at least 23 in Haiti, while numerous homes and businesses have been devastated.

Previously, the uptake of decentralized, encrypted messaging apps was primarily influenced by users moving away from centralized platforms that could censor information or impose restrictions.

Now, Bitchat has emerged as an essential resource for individuals in regions facing internet disruptions — whether due to governmental control or natural calamities.

In September, Bitchat downloads surged in Nepal due to government corruption and a ban on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube, which sparked widespread protests. Downloads also increased in Indonesia a week earlier amidst protests.