The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has demanded that GitHub restrict access to the repositories of Jack Dorsey's decentralized messaging app, Bitchat. This was reported by CoinDesk.

According to the publication, the notification was sent on July 23. Authorities indicated that the app allows anonymous communication without registration, phone numbers, or centralized logging. This architecture complicates lawful interception, attribution, and investigations for law enforcement.

Business Today clarified that the document references Section 79(3)(b) of India's Information Technology Act and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules 2021.

The project description on GitHub states that Bitchat utilizes two transport systems:

  • a local Bluetooth mesh network for offline communication;
  • the Nostr protocol for internet communication.

The white paper describes the app as a tool for secure messaging, functioning both online and offline.

CoinDesk linked the demand to GitHub with protests in Delhi over leaked exam materials. The first major demonstrations took place at Jantar Mantar in June, and on July 20, protesters clashed with police.

Local media reported that amid temporary mobile internet restrictions, some protesters used Bluetooth applications for communication. Internet restrictions in central Delhi were also confirmed by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

In response to the directive, Dorsey stated that Indian authorities "do not like technologies like Bitchat and want them taken down."

the government of india does not like technologies like bitchat and wants it taken down pic.twitter.com/gjzMg1NGCi

— jack (@jack) July 24, 2026

At the time of writing, the Bitchat repository remained accessible.

Source: GitHub.

According to GitHub's policy on government requests, the platform may restrict access to content deemed illegal in a specific jurisdiction. In such cases, the company aims to limit the geographical scope, applying geoblocking only in the relevant country.

This is not the first instance of pressure on Bitchat. In April, Apple removed the app from the Chinese App Store following an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China.

Recall that in July 2025, Dorsey introduced the beta version of the decentralized peer-to-peer messenger. In September, Bitchat facilitated communication during protests in Indonesia and Nepal.

A month later, the app topped the social networking category in the App Store in Jamaica, helping to maintain communication after power outages caused by a hurricane.

In early 2026, Iranian authorities restricted internet access amid ongoing mass unrest. In response, the community urged residents to use encrypted messaging apps.