The Indian government has requested GitHub to remove Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app, citing concerns over its use in ongoing protests amid internet shutdowns.
Government Targets Bitchat Amid Protests Over Internet Shutdowns
The Indian government has formally requested GitHub to remove repositories associated with Bitchat, an offline messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey, as protests in Delhi intensify and demonstrators rely on mesh networks to communicate during internet blackouts.
India's Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, part of the Home Ministry, issued the takedown order on Thursday, citing Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. The government claims that Bitchat's decentralized, registration-free nature hinders lawful investigation and interception, posing challenges for law enforcement.
Bitchat, which allows encrypted messaging via Bluetooth mesh networks without requiring internet access, was made open-source by Dorsey in July 2025. It also enables offline bitcoin transactions, facilitating payments even during outages or government-imposed shutdowns.
The app has gained traction among protesters, particularly in light of ongoing demonstrations against an exam scandal, which have seen significant police resistance, including the use of tear gas and baton charges. Since July 20, cities across India have witnessed some of the largest protests in years, with students rallying under the name ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ to criticize the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
As the government continues to restrict internet access around protest sites, Bitchat and similar tools have become vital for maintaining communication among demonstrators. While the takedown request demanded action within three hours, as of Friday afternoon, Bitchat was still available on major app stores, raising questions about GitHub's compliance with the order.
GitHub, owned by Microsoft, has previously responded to Indian legal requests, but experts note that open-source code can often be replicated across multiple platforms, making complete removal difficult.
