BitTorrent, primarily recognized for its peer-to-peer software which permits users to download identical files from multiple sources at the same time, has ventured into the realm of chat and voice-messaging services. The company revealed a pre-alpha version of their chat service, BitTorrent Bleep, utilizing a decentralized approach.
Unlike most common chat applications where a user’s input is sent via a central server to the recipient, Bleep does things differently. Central severs can store valuable information about the conversations and metadata revealing the identities and timings of chats. These central repositories are particularly appealing to intrusive government agencies and hackers, according to Bleep product head Farid Fadaie.
Increasing demand for online privacy, especially in light of revelations about government surveillance, is anticipated to drive interest towards Bleep. CEO of BitTorrent, Eric Klinker expresses concerns about centralization of services, urging businesses to consider a decentralized approach. BitTorrent’s mission is to counter this centralization trend and explore distributed versions of internet services.
In Bleep, rather than using typical logins, users receive a pair of mathematically-derived keys. One is public, representing the user’s identity on the service, and the other is private, allowing for encryption of messages. To initiate a conversation on Bleep, users exchange public keys.
The mode of message delivery is also altered. BitTorrent Bleep uses distributed hash table technology (DHT), the same technology used for identifying and sharing files, thereby removing the need for a central server. Conversations are initiated by pinging other computers on the network, which then identifies the recipient. This approach maintains the privacy of the concerned parties and ensures no communication records are stored.
Concerns regarding this method’s security are addressed by implementing encryption protocols by the BitTorrent engineers to enhance privacy and security. Additionally, efforts have been made to expedite the DHT tool to ensure uninterrupted real-time voice and text chats.
As of now, Bleep is accessible only to select testers, working exclusively on Windows 7 or 8. Following this phase, feedback will be used to improve the design and performance of future iterations. Bleep versions for Mac and various mobile platforms are in progress, though no specific timeframe has been disclosed for its release on these platforms.
Source: Ian Chant/IEEE Spectrum
Updated in 2025 to align with recent developments.
Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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