Privacy Tools Emerge as Lifeline for Iranian Protesters and Developer Begins Prison Sentence

Two parallel stories illustrate the high stakes surrounding privacy technology and internet freedom: Iranian protesters deploying offline communication tools to circumvent government censorship, and a Bitcoin developer entering federal prison for creating financial privacy software.

Bitcoin-Derived Apps Break Iranian Internet Blackout

During recent intense protests against the Islamic Republic regime, Iranian authorities implemented a nationwide telecommunications blackout and jammed satellite services including Starlink to prevent demonstrator coordination ^[2]. In response, protesters have turned to freedom technology tools—Bitchat, Noghteha, and Delta Chat—for offline communication ^[2].

Two of these applications originate directly from the Bitcoin community ^[2]. Bitchat, created by Bitcoin pioneers Jack Dorsey and open-source developer Calle, operates over Bluetooth mesh networks and the Nostr protocol without requiring internet connectivity ^[2]. Dorsey first announced the project on July 6, 2025, describing it as a weekend exploration of Bluetooth mesh networks ^[2].

Noghteha represents a closed-source fork of Bitchat adapted specifically for Iranian needs, featuring full Persian/Farsi language support, an enhanced user interface, and locally-tailored features ^[2]. Digital-political activist Nariman Gharib developed the application independently without government or private funding as a response to regime tactics ^[2].

Rapid Adoption Under Pressure

Google Play recorded over 70,000 Noghteha downloads within three days during the first week of January 2026, before the complete internet shutdown ^[2]. Actual usage likely exceeds these figures due to peer-to-peer sharing, sideloading, and Bluetooth transfers following the blackout ^[2].

Promotion reached broad audiences through Iran International, an opposition satellite television channel broadcasting from outside Iran ^[2]. The station serves as a major information source and coordination platform for opposition figures including leader Reza Pahlavi ^[2].

Bitchat had previously demonstrated effectiveness during Nepalese protests amid social media restrictions, recording nearly 50,000 downloads in a single day ^[2].

Security Tensions and Tactical Choices

The decision to release Noghteha as closed-source rather than fully open has generated controversy. Bitcoin researcher and former political prisoner Ziya Sadr explained the regime's sophisticated information warfare approach: "The regime sets up phishing attacks, creates fake download links, and uses influencers on social media to misguide people into installing malicious versions of the same app" ^[2].

This threat environment likely motivated the closed-source strategy and timing of Noghteha's release just before the anticipated blackout, allowing distribution before regime interference ^[2]. The application remains compliant with Bitchat's MIT license, which permits modifications and redistribution with proper attribution ^[2].

Bitchat co-creator Calle has expressed concerns about the closed-source elements, donation requests, and security risks in adversarial settings ^[2]. An editor's note accompanying coverage explicitly warned that Calle has advised against using Noghteha due to inability to verify its code or security, though ground reports indicate widespread successful use by protesters ^[2].

Samourai Developer Enters Federal Prison

Meanwhile, Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, surrendered himself on December 19 to Federal Prison Camp Morgantown in West Virginia to begin a 60-month sentence ^[1]. Rodriguez detailed his arrival experience in a letter describing the fundamentally unnatural act of voluntarily surrendering liberty ^[1].

He arrived in intake uniform that identified him as a newcomer and faced complications accessing funds due to surrendering on a Friday before Christmas ^[1]. Rodriguez credited these difficulties to Judge Cote, who sentenced him ^[1].

Despite the circumstances, Rodriguez described encountering unexpected kindness from fellow inmates who provided food, clothing, and guidance without expectation of repayment ^[1]. Multiple prisoners, including former physicians and scientists, offered assistance as acts of generosity reflecting their own early experiences ^[1].

Rodriguez was housed in the Bates Unit B Wing, designated for newcomers and younger inmates ^[1]. He described the environment as manageable though uncomfortable, with respectful inmates and professional corrections staff ^[1].

These parallel narratives underscore how privacy technology continues serving vital functions in oppressive environments while developers face legal consequences for creating such tools in democratic jurisdictions.