Disabling BitChat in India? | Explained
It requires no internet connection, no servers and no phone numbers. Jantar Mantar protest: Digital initiative by a software firm in Kochi to extend support Traditional messaging apps depend on centralised infrastructure that can be monitored, censored or disabled. The network remains functional during internet outages, natural disasters, protests or in regions with limited connectivity.What does the order say?The order directs GitHub to disable access to three repositories, including the Android application and its release files, within three hours.
- ▪It requires no internet connection, no servers and no phone numbers.
- ▪Jantar Mantar protest: Digital initiative by a software firm in Kochi to extend support Traditional messaging apps depend on centralised infrastructure that can be monitored, censored or disabled.
- ▪The network remains functional during internet outages, natural disasters, protests or in regions with limited connectivity.What does the order say?The order directs GitHub to disable access to three repositories, including the Android appl
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The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, directed GitHub on July 23, 2026, to remove repositories hosting BitChat, the Bluetooth mesh messaging application developed by X (formerly Twitter) co-founder Jack Dorsey, stating that the app could be exploited to coordinate unlawful assemblies and circumvent lawful restrictions imposed by competent authorities during situations involving public order.The order comes at a time when repeated internet shutdowns near protest sites have led protesters to increasingly rely on Bluetooth-enabled messaging platforms such as BitChat for communication.What is BitChat?BitChat is a decentralised peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth mesh networks.
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