Hyderabad: In the wake of various protests that are taking place in the country in the recent past, internet shutdown has become a new norm – to stop spreading information and to blackout communication, thus keeping the protests in check.
But, in such a scenario, is there a way to connect yourselves with others to forward an important text or to stay in touch with your beloved ones?
Yes, there a few mobile applications that come handy during those testing times. Most of these apps use the peer-to-peer network without an internet connection and the message can be conveyed to the intended receiver.
Here are a few such apps which you can download on your mobile…
1. FireChat
It is a free messaging platform without any need for mobile signal or data. By keeping your Bluetooth and WiFi on (even if you don’t have access to the internet), transmission happens seamlessly. The app creates a mesh network using Bluetooth and peer-to-peer WiFi and all you need is a few people around you using FireChat.
Unless you keep the message ‘public’, the information will be encrypted and can only be read by the sender and the recipient. The device connects directly with one another within 200 feet of their location and then likewise the encrypted message gets transferred to the intended receiver.
2. Bridgefyinternet shutdown
Bridgefy is an offline messaging platform to chat securely with friends without the internet or SMS. By simply turning on the Bluetooth antenna, the message can be sent using three modes – person to person, mesh, and broadcast mode.
In the person to person mode, friends within a range of 330 feet (100 meters) can get connected for a private chat. In mesh mode, you can chat with people who are more than 330 feet away from you by connecting through another Bridgefy user in the middle. Person 1 can talk to person 3 if the person 2 is in the middle, making the possible distance to 660 feet and the chain goes on. And in broadcast mode, messages can be sent to every Bridgefy user around you at the same time, even without having them on your contacts list.
3. Briarinternet shutdown
Briar is a messaging app for anyone who needs a safe way of communication without any surveillance. It also uses Bluetooth or WiFi to keep the information flow going. When the internet is active, Briar can sync via the Tor network, protecting users from surveillance. However, a contact can only be added by scanning QR code or through an exchange link that has to be sent to the other person.
4. Vojer
Vojer is an exclusive iOS application that lets you send voice notes, text messages, and images using a mesh network. Just like other apps even it doesn’t require a mobile service or data connection but the user has to pay to download this app.
5. Twitter via SMS
In case the internet is shutdown but the mobile services are active, Twitter users can use post their tweets via SMS. It can be done by linking your mobile number to your Twitter account and then sending the text message to the Twitter code (9248948837 in case of India).