FireChat is connecting protesters without using a cellular network or internet access
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FireChat, an app designed to connect friends at crowded venues has been pushed to the spotlight by recent protests in Hong Kong. Instead of using cellular networks or internet access, the app relies on bluetooth or peer-to-peer wifi to send messages to people within 70 meters of the user. It creates a public forum organized in a geographic location. This makes it hard for authorities to monitor and crack down on conversations.

It was adopted by the Occupy protesters amid fears of an internet shutdown by the authorities. The app was quickly pushed into the top downloads of Apple’s Appstore and Google Play.

Originally made by Open Garden for entertainment purposes, the app’s rise to the limelight has proved that it is useful in countries with censorship and countries with poor internet connectivity. The app may gain traction due to recent events.

Apps with large user bases have lots of value to investors due to the potential for localized advertisements. Recently the value of similar apps has skyrocketed. WhatsApp was bought by Facebook for 19 billion dollars. Will FireChat be the next app sold for over a billion dollars?

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102055796#.
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-firechat-hong-kong-20141001-story.html?track=rss