Lebanese Protesters Are Using This ‘Bridgefy’ Messaging App - What is it?

Bridgefy is an offline messaging app that lets you communicate with friends and family when you don't have access to the Internet, by simply turning on your Bluetooth antenna.

Due to WhatsApp outage and the poor internet services, a new offline messaging app known as Bridgefy has started to gain traction among Lebanese protesters. The people are recommending using this app in case there is a shutdown of internet services.

Did you know that:

• 1 billion people aren’t covered by 3G or 4G networks.
• 3.3 billion people live in areas where the mobile Internet can be accessed but remain without a mobile Internet subscription.
• 1 billion people own a smartphone but don’t own a data plan.
• 40% of the world population is forecast to remain unconnected by 2025.

These numbers represent huge amounts of potential users that aren’t being reached by mobile apps. Bridgefy keeps your app working even when people do not have access to the Internet.

The official website of the Bridgefy app suggests that it can be used for offline texting and can be used at the time of natural disasters as well.

The app primarily works on three modes with the help of Bluetooth on the mobile phone.

The first mode is ‘one-to-one’ mode in which a smartphone can connect over a range of 330 feet (100 meters) according to the company.

‘one-to-one’ mode

The second mode is ‘one-to-one long distance’ mode in which this app messages are sent over longer distances than the prescribed 330 feet with the help of other Bridgefy users between the sender and receiver.

'one-to-one long distance’ mode

The third mode is the ‘broadcast’ mode in which a chatroom is created and a user can send a message to multiple people who are using the app and are not in the senders’ contact list.

'Broadcast' mode

However, one should keep in mind that the Bridgefy app requires an internet connection to activate the app for the first time you open the app. According to a statement by the company, messages sent from one person to another through Bridgefy are encrypted, however messages sent through the ‘broadcast’ chat are not encrypted.