Internet shut down in Delhi, yet messages keep going, what is Bluetooth Mesh technology which police is investigating?

Delhi Internet Ban: During the recent protests in the capital Delhi, a technical aspect has come to light which has attracted the attention of security agencies. It is being said in the reports that Delhi Police is investigating how the protesters remained connected with each other and exchanged messages despite the internet ban and mobile network shutdown. There is initial suspicion that Bluetooth-based offline messaging apps are being used for this. The same technology is also considered to be the specialty of X co-founder Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat app.

How are messages sent without internet?

As people know that usually apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal require mobile data or Wi-Fi. But Bluetooth messaging apps work completely differently. It connects directly to other phones nearby with the help of Bluetooth present in the smartphone. In which neither a phone number nor any central server or internet connection is required and this is the reason that even in case of internet blackout, users can maintain contact with each other within a limited distance.

What is Bluetooth Mesh Network and how does it work?

Talking about this technology, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Mesh Network is used in it. In which when any user sends a message, it does not reach any mobile tower or server. Instead, it reaches the nearest phone that is using the same app. Then that phone sends the same message to the next device. In this way the message hops from one device to another and reaches its destination. The most interesting thing about this is that the more people use this technology in an area, the stronger and more effective the network becomes. Therefore, its capacity increases further in crowded areas.

Why is Delhi Police investigating?

Reports say that Delhi Police is trying to find out whether the protesters in Central Delhi had used these offline messaging apps for mutual coordination. As part of the investigation, information can be sought from app developers and service providers. The incident is also being analyzed with the help of technologies like CCTV footage, IPDR records and facial recognition.

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Not just for demonstrations, it also helps in disasters.

Bluetooth mesh networks are not a new technology. Earlier, such apps have been in discussion even during internet shutdown in countries like Hong Kong, Ukraine and Nepal. Not only this, when mobile towers and internet services get affected during natural disasters, then this technology can become an important medium to maintain contact between people during relief and rescue operations.