Privacy Policy
Effective date: June 5, 2026
ByteChat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over local mesh networks without servers, cloud storage, or user accounts.
Core commitment
ByteChat is designed as a privacy-first offline messaging system. No personal data is collected, stored remotely, or transmitted to external servers. All communication occurs directly between devices using encrypted peer-to-peer mesh networking.
1. Information and identity
ByteChat does not require registration, email, or phone numbers.
On first launch, the App generates a local device identity consisting of:
- ByteChat ID: A randomly generated unique identifier stored on your device
- Display Name: A user-editable name shown in chats
- Encryption Keys: A cryptographic key pair used for secure communication
All identity data remains stored only on the user’s device.
2. Local data storage
ByteChat stores chat history locally on the device using SQLite database. This allows users to access previous conversations even after restarting the application.
Users can delete individual messages or entire conversations at any time.
3. Device permissions required
- Bluetooth (scan, connect, advertise): Required to discover nearby devices and establish peer-to-peer mesh connections.
- Location access (Android 11 and below): Required by Android system for Bluetooth scanning. ByteChat does not track or store real-world location.
4. Data retention and security
Messages are stored locally on your device only using secure SQLite storage. ByteChat does not use cloud servers or centralized databases.
During transmission, messages may temporarily exist in device memory while being routed through the mesh network.
5. Mesh networking
ByteChat uses peer-to-peer mesh networking where devices act as both clients and relays. Messages may pass through multiple devices (hops) before reaching their destination. Relay devices cannot read message content due to end-to-end encryption.
6. Encryption
All messages are protected using end-to-end encryption. Messages are encrypted on the sender’s device and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient.
7. Third-party services
ByteChat does not use analytics SDKs, advertising networks, or cloud infrastructure. No third parties have access to user communications or stored data.
8. Children’s privacy
ByteChat does not collect personal information from any users, including children under 13. All data remains local to the user’s device.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
10. Contact
For questions, contact:
Visit our Contact page for more details.