Topic: Bluetooth

Protesters are increasingly using BitChat, a technology developed by Jack Dorsey that allows phones to communicate via Bluetooth mesh networks without internet or SIM cards. In India, downloads of the app surged 32 times during student protests in New Delhi after the government implemented localized internet shutdowns. The encrypted messages hop from device to device, allowing crowds to remain coordinated despite digital blackouts.

The Indian government reportedly cut internet access 65 times in 2025 to suppress dissent, the highest rate in any democracy. Developer Rahul Kumar created BitSocial, a Bluetooth-based alternative used by protesters to bypass these blackouts. The technology allows messages to travel several meters between devices, effectively covering large areas through a chain of user hardware.

Flock Safety surveillance cameras are reportedly emitting 2.4 GHz radio signals that interfere with car Bluetooth audio systems. Some users claim their music cuts out specifically when passing these camera installations, which may also be equipped with "Signal Trace" technology to identify mobile devices and fitness trackers. The rapid, ubiquitous rollout of these cameras in residential and commercial areas is identified as a significant expansion of the surveillance state.