Jack Dorsey's Offline Bitchat App Sees Download Spike in Iran and Uganda in 2026
On January 28, 2026, Jack Dorsey's offline messaging and Bitcoin app Bitchat was reported to be experiencing a surge in adoption as internet shutdowns affected communication in countries such as Iran and Uganda. The app, which operates without internet connectivity, central servers, or user accounts, has surpassed 28,000 downloads in 2026 and climbed to top positions in app store rankings around Uganda's election while gaining traction amid protest-related shutdowns in Iran.