Protesters in Hong Kong each 'chat' without Internet

FireChat application is widely used in Hong Kong protesters to communicate with each other through chats on uncensored by using Bluetooth connectivity.

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According to SH, many of the protesters in Hong Kong were glued FireChat applications on smartphones. This software allows them to communicate even if mobile network congestion or lose waves.

Protesters on the streets of Hong Kong. Photo: Chris McGrath / Getty.

FireChat released by the company in early 2014. Open Garden Typically, mobile devices will communicate with each other via the Internet whether or telecommunications network using Wi-Fi, then the information will be sent to remote server. This node means that the government or the authorities can control or block the entire contents exchanged via ISP (Internet Service Provider). Evidence that Instagram and social networks in China are censored or even banned to prevent the situation update from the Hong Kong protesters.

FireChat has solved this problem when not using the Internet. Instead of connecting to the remote server, the software uses Bluetooth, a familiar internal communication has on most smartphones to form a circle. Anyone Enable in the radius of 70 meters and used FireChat can chat with each other in groups.

FireChat application interface.

Only the first 24 hours last week, FireChat has more than 100,000 downloads by users Hong Kong. This app is also free and will automatically detect the user who is around. Users can chat about topics and share information without any obstacle to censorship.

However, the freedom to speak does not mean that the user is completely private. Anyone can participate in this internal network, so do not exclude the possibility of the government or security personnel will monitor the content of the group. Such protesters are calling for coordinated action together, this information will be shared to anyone in the area.

FireChat are headache to explain that my service helps users anonymous. The company developed this app recommends that customers should be involved in the conversation with the alias to avoid being identified. Nothing is security and absolute privacy.