Protests over repeated water and power cuts have turned violent in Madagascar’s capital, and interest in offline messaging tools has jumped alongside the unrest, according to multiple reports and public signals.
Police used tear gas against some demonstrators and at least five deaths have been linked to the unrest. The pressure on the government was high enough that the Energy minister was removed from office amid the turmoil.
According to reports, related queries such as “Bitchat download” and “how to use Bitchat” were marked as breakout topics in the country’s search activity.
Bitchat is a Bluetooth mesh messaging tool that can operate without an internet connection or phone numbers.
Its design emphasizes privacy through end-to-end encryption, ephemeral messages, and the use of cryptocurrency wallets as an alternative to traditional identifiers like phone numbers.
These technical features showcase usefulness when internet service is limited or when individuals fear a disruption in their networks. Observers noted that there was a heightened level of local interest when protests, and curfews were in place.
The report further indicates that over 18 million mobile subscriptions are active, and many rely on voice calling and SMS which does not mean access to the full internet, again reflecting issues with access and affordability in Madagascar.
Featured image from AFP, chart from TradingView
