Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter and Block, has launched White Noise, his latest decentralised messaging app, shortly after debuting the beta version of another chat platform, Bitchat. While both platforms embrace decentralisation, White Noise introduces an entirely new layer of privacy, scalability, and encrypted, real-time global communication.
Unlike Bitchat, which relies on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks for offline communication, White Noise is designed to work online through a network of independent relays built on the Nostr protocol. Nostr is an open protocol that powers decentralised social networks by transmitting messages via public or private relays that anyone can run.
Advanced Security Through MLS Encryption
What truly sets White Noise apart is its use of the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol. Unlike traditional messaging protocols that create individual encrypted channels for every pair of users, MLS structures messages as authenticated events within a TreeKEM (Tree-based Key Encapsulation Mechanism) system. This enables seamless, scalable group communication without compromising on security.
Key security features of White Noise include:
- End-to-end encryption for every message
- Forward secrecy, ensuring past messages remain protected even after a device is compromised
- Post-compromise security, which automatically rotates keys to keep future messages secure
- Metadata encryption, which conceals not only the content of messages but also who is talking to whom
These features make White Noise extremely resistant to surveillance, even by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The app’s encryption methods are designed to be quantum-resistant, meaning future cryptographic threats can be mitigated without redesigning the application.
Built for Performance, Scalable for Groups
White Noise is optimised for speed and real-time communication. The MLS protocol allows the app to support group chats with over 1,000 participants by efficiently managing encryption keys and reducing the computational burden on devices.
Each device (whether a smartphone, tablet, or desktop) is treated as a unique “leaf node” in the encryption tree, allowing users to seamlessly operate the same account across multiple devices without compromising security. This is a significant leap over traditional messaging systems, where device syncing often creates security loopholes.
Nostr’s transport capabilities further enhance message delivery across the distributed relay network, ensuring low-latency performance and robust uptime.
Decentralisation with User Freedom and Resilience
Decentralisation lies at the heart of White Noise. There is no central server or authority that can control or shut down the network. Messages are relayed via independent servers, and users can opt to use public or private relays hosted by trusted communities. For those who prefer complete control, self-hosting is fully supported with minimal operating costs.
This architecture ensures no single point of failure and aligns with Dorsey’s broader mission of building censorship-resistant technologies. Whether in politically sensitive regions or under authoritarian regimes, White Noise empowers users with free, private, and secure communication.
Support and Availability
The development of White Noise is backed by OpenSats and the Human Rights Foundation, both organisations dedicated to supporting open-source tools that promote privacy, freedom, and financial sovereignty, especially through Bitcoin adoption.
White Noise is currently available for testing and can be accessed through:
- Apple TestFlight for iOS users
- Zapstore and APK download for Android devices
The app is fully open-source, inviting developers and privacy advocates to audit, contribute, and improve the platform. Its launch marks a promising step forward in the push for decentralised, censorship-proof communication tools in the digital age.
As mainstream platforms increasingly face criticism over data collection, surveillance, and censorship, White Noise offers a compelling alternative. Combining decentralised infrastructure, cutting-edge encryption, and an open development philosophy, Jack Dorsey’s new messaging app stands as a powerful response to the demand for secure, private, and resilient communication in 2025 and beyond.
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