Downloads of Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app BitChat spiked sharply in Nepal and Indonesia as protesters sought alternatives after authorities blocked major social platforms. Open-source developer callebtc reported a jump from about 3,300 downloads to 48,781 in Nepal — a surge of nearly 1,400% in days that made the country BitChat’s largest user base worldwide.
BitChat is a decentralized, offline-first messaging tool that can relay messages without conventional internet accounts, allowing users to communicate via direct device connections when networks are restricted. The developer who tracked downloads also flagged a separate spike in Indonesia during nationwide protests the week prior, underscoring a regional pattern: when official channels are limited, people often turn to resilient, peer-to-peer communications.
The uptick in Nepal followed a government block on 26 platforms — including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube — intended to curb unrest. Instead, young demonstrators pushed back: protests intensified, at least 34 people died in clashes and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 9 before the ban was lifted.
Industry observers see this as part of a broader shift. Decentralized and censorship-resistant apps can offer a layer of autonomy when trust in institutions erodes, enabling organizers to coordinate and share information outside centralized controls. Similar dynamics appeared in Indonesia after protests over lawmakers’ pay and a deadly demonstration incident drove roughly 11,000 Indonesians to BitChat, according to the same data.
Risks to note: decentralized, offline networks can reduce censorship but are not immunity from misinformation, surveillance techniques, or security flaws in third-party implementations. Users should weigh convenience against potential privacy and safety trade-offs.
Source: Decrypt. Read the original coverage for full details.