Elastos, a decentralized internet platform built with the security of Bitcoin's hashpower, today launched the world's first completely private, decentralized messaging app on its network, Hyper IM.

Hyper IM promises to be different to apps like WhatsApp or Signal as it runs across a distributed network of nodes, making it independent of a development team or centralized power.

It debuted today on elastOS, the flagship application of the Elastos ecosystem, but will soon be available on Android and iOS.

Using a decentralized protocol, messages sent on the app (which is mobile-only right now) do not pass through a company's servers-like they do with apps like Telegram.

Who's Elastos? And what've they got to do with it?

Elastos is working on building the most comprehensive and interoperable open-source platform for the blockchain world.

Using a hybrid consensus that combines the secure hashpower of Bitcoin and the democratic ideals of Delegated-Proof-of-Stake, the SmartWeb of Elastos is a suite of software for an entirely decentralized internet.

The company, founded by ex-Microsoft engineer Rong Chen, employs a peer-to-peer network for communication, decentralized data storage services, and a decentralized ID (DID) system for all digital assets.

Hyper IM runs on the elastOS network.

How to get hold of the app

Those who use the elastOS network can download Hyper IM from the website. It will soon be available on Google Play and the Apple App store.

The Hyper team said that the app will soon be available on desktop (like WhatsApp web and Telegram), and that file transfer functions for non-text messages. The open source code will also be released soon.

Hyper Product Lead Peter Strauss said: "Hyper has come a long way in integrating Elastos' core tech components, and continues to have its sights set on a goal it shares intimately with Elastos: preserving privacy and enabling users to truly own the data they generate on the internet."