In theory if as many people use bitchat as used whatsapp somewhere like central london, everyone actually could communicate in a fully decentralised manner - you're frequently in bluetooth range of other people's phones just walking around or even sat in your house.

Would that actually happen? No, but it's an interesting thought experiment

One of these bluetooth messaging app was made by a developer who was on a cruise ship with family, and the Internet over satellite costs an arm and leg. So he wrote an app to communicate with his families over bluetooth.

Also why would one want to have the data go over some servers thousands miles away when the device is right next to you? Seems like bluetooth is the perfect way to communicate for devices that are close to each other.

Back in the 2010s I used the 'Notes' applications to send messages via Bluetooth on my Sony Ericsson to chat with a girl in the next bunk.

There was no signal in the remote Irish hostel so it was the perfect way to send messages covertly in the dormitory.

Fun night!

Any situation when mobile internet cannot be used. That is not only protests, but also legal gatherings, i.e. street concerts, or places where mobile coverage is poor in general.

In Iran right now... Internet shut down while the regime keeps slaughtering people at the order of 4x9/11.

This particular one supports mesh, so the range could be way way higher.

Consider if you live in Gaza. Israel has destroyed all the telecoms equipment across the Gaza strip (and everything else). You were ordered to leave your home by Israeli soldiers, but now the school you're sheltering in is being bombed. You may need to leave, but you believe there may be sniper drones outside.

- You want to check in with people around you about what to do - You want to check on the health of your family, from whom you were separated

I see two use cases: * Communication between protestors * Illegal activities, but here I can imagine that bluetooth range is too small