Jack Dorsey has unveiled White Noise, a new decentralised messaging application designed to prioritise privacy, security, and censorship resistance. The app, which builds on the open Nostr protocol and uses the MLS (Messaging Layer Security) encryption standard, was revealed shortly after Dorsey’s earlier messaging app, Bitchat, entered beta testing.
— jack (@jack) July 9, 2025
Unlike Bitchat, which works offline using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks, White Noise operates through a global system of independent internet relays, offering enhanced scalability, security, and performance.
Built on Nostr and MLS for Unmatched Privacy
White Noise is based on Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays), an open-source protocol for decentralised communication. The app leverages MLS, a cutting-edge encryption standard used to authenticate and protect messages in real time, even in large group chats.
MLS handles each device involved in a conversation as a separate “leaf node,” meaning users can access the app across multiple devices phones, tablets, and computers without compromising security. This structure allows secure synchronisation without exposing previous conversations.
White Noise ensures forward secrecy and post-compromise security, meaning if a device is hacked, both past and future messages remain protected. Metadata is also encrypted, so even if a malicious actor or ISP intercepts the traffic, the data appears as unreadable noise.
User Control and Infrastructure Freedom
What sets White Noise apart is its infrastructure design. Unlike traditional centralised apps, White Noise has no central server. Instead, it relies on a network of independent relays to route messages. These relays can be public or private, with tech-savvy users encouraged to host their own to maximise privacy.
This decentralised approach eliminates single points of failure, making White Noise resistant to censorship, government takedowns, and mass surveillance. Users who choose private relays will face only minimal operational costs.
In a clear push towards community ownership, the app is open source and developed transparently, enabling scrutiny, improvement, and customisation by developers worldwide.
Engineered for Speed, Scale, and Security
White Noise is designed to perform in real-time. The MLS protocol not only encrypts every message but optimises encryption workflows to handle group chats of over 1,000 participants efficiently. This is achieved through TreeKEM, an algorithm that balances speed and security while reducing the processing load on individual devices.
While Bitchat was more experimental aimed at offline, peer-to-peer communication through BLE mesh networks, White Noise aims for mainstream utility, requiring an internet connection but delivering enterprise-grade performance.
The architecture also supports future upgrades. With the flexibility of MLS, White Noise is positioned to integrate quantum-resistant encryption algorithms as they become necessary, without requiring a complete system overhaul.
Backed by Open-Source Advocates and Human Rights Champions
White Noise is supported by the Human Rights Foundation and OpenSats, an organisation that funds open-source projects aligned with Bitcoin and freedom-tech values. Their backing underlines the app’s mission to enable secure communication for people living under oppressive regimes or in areas with restricted digital freedoms.
Currently, White Noise is available for testing via Apple’s TestFlight, Android’s Zapstore, and a downloadable APK for Android users. Early users and developers are encouraged to explore the platform and contribute to its evolution.
With White Noise, Jack Dorsey continues his pivot from traditional social media to open, decentralised technologies. In a time where digital privacy and ownership are increasingly under threat, the launch of White Noise presents a compelling alternative to centralised messaging platforms.
