Hongkongers flock to 'off-grid' chat app FireChat amid fears of internet shutdown

A mobile messaging application that operates without internet has seen large numbers of new sign-ups from Hong Kong as demonstrators scrambled for alternative means of communication.

A protester takes pictures of fellow demonstrators with his mobile phone. Photo: Reuters

A mobile messaging application enabling users to communicate without internet access has seen large numbers of new sign-ups from Hong Kong as pro-democracy demonstrators in the territory scrambled for alternative means of communication amid the weekend’s protests.

Some 100,000 people have downloaded the application FireChat for smartphones over the last 24 hours in Hong Kong, according to Open Garden, the company that developed the communications tool which operates without an Internet connection or mobile phone coverage.

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