Jack Dorsey's Bitchat Removed From App Stores in India Following Government Order
Bitchat, Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app that operates without internet connectivity, has been removed from Apple and Google Play stores in India following a government directive. The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered the removal under Section 69A of the IT Act, which allows for blocking content deemed harmful or unlawful. Bitchat remains available outside India but is inaccessible via TestFlight beta testing within the country. This follows an earlier July order to GitHub requiring it to remove open-source repositories related to the app. The government cited concerns that Bitchat’s decentralized architecture hinders law enforcement from intercepting communications and tracing users, particularly during internet shutdowns. Digital rights group Internet Freedom Foundation criticized the move as unconstitutional, arguing Section 69A does not justify blocking an application based on its operational capabilities rather than illegal content. The app gained significant traction in India amid recent protests where authorities suspended internet services, with Bitchat and similar apps used to coordinate demonstrations.
Topics: App Store removal Bitchat digital rights India censorship Jack Dorsey