.jpeg)
Amidst escalating protests in Madagascar, the decentralized messaging application Bitchat has experienced a significant surge in downloads. This trend mirrors similar upticks observed in Nepal and Indonesia during periods of civil unrest, suggesting a growing reliance on alternative communication channels when traditional platforms face restrictions or disruptions. The situation in Madagascar highlights the app's utility in environments marked by political instability and communication challenges.
Key Takeaways
-
Bitchat downloads and Google searches for the app spiked in Madagascar during recent protests.
-
The surge in interest is linked to ongoing water and power cut protests in the capital, Antananarivo.
-
Similar download increases were previously noted in Nepal and Indonesia during periods of unrest.
-
Madagascar faces significant internet accessibility challenges, with a large portion of its population offline.
Surge in Bitchat Activity
Reports indicate a notable increase in Bitchat downloads originating from Madagascar, coinciding with widespread protests. A Bitcoin developer, known as callebtc on X, shared evidence of this surge, including screenshots of news coverage related to the demonstrations. While specific download figures were not disclosed, Google Trends data for "Bitchat" in Madagascar showed a dramatic rise from zero to peak popularity (100) on a recent Friday, particularly in the capital city, Antananarivo. Related search queries such as "Bitchat download" and "how to use Bitchat" were also identified as "breakout topics," signifying a substantial increase in user activity.
Chrome-Stats data reveals that Bitchat has accumulated over 365,000 downloads since its launch, with a significant portion occurring in the last week. However, this data does not specify regional download distributions.
Protests and Government Response
The protests in Madagascar's capital erupted on Thursday, fueled by persistent water and power outages. Demonstrations led to clashes with police and reports of looting, prompting the dismissal of the energy minister. In an effort to quell further unrest, authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Further demonstrations took place across the country on Friday and Saturday.
This pattern of increased Bitchat usage during times of protest has been observed before. Earlier in September, Nepal saw a similar spike in downloads amidst violent anti-corruption protests that led to a temporary social media ban. Indonesia also experienced an uptick in Bitchat usage following corruption-related demonstrations.
Internet Accessibility in Madagascar
Madagascar, one of the world's poorest nations, faces considerable challenges regarding internet access. With a population of nearly 32 million, only an estimated 6.6 million individuals had internet access at the beginning of 2025, according to DataReportal. While there are over 18 million active mobile connections, many may not include internet services, focusing solely on voice and SMS.
About Bitchat
Launched as a beta in July, Bitchat is a decentralized, peer-to-peer messaging service developed by Jack Dorsey's Block. It utilizes Bluetooth mesh networks to enable encrypted communication without requiring an internet connection. The application is designed to be fully decentralized, operating without central servers, user accounts, or registration requirements, making it independent of traditional infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
-
Protests in Madagascar Spark Sharp Rise in Bitchat App Usage, Cointelegraph.