India's government has told GitHub to take down repositories for Jack Dorsey's Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth without the internet. The move comes as student protests in Delhi heat up, with demonstrators reportedly using the app to communicate during mobile internet blackouts.
On Friday, Dorsey posted on X that the Narendra Modi-led government directed Microsoft's (Microsoft (MSFT)) GitHub to remove the repositories. The notice cites India's Information Technology Act and Intermediary Rules, saying the app could hinder law enforcement and let people bypass internet shutdowns during public-order situations.
"the government of india does not like technologies like bitchat and wants it taken down," Dorsey wrote, sharing a screenshot of the takedown notice.
Delhi Police are investigating whether Bluetooth-based messaging apps were used during the protests after mobile internet was suspended, though they haven't confirmed Bitchat's involvement. Investigators are looking at app data, CCTV footage, and other digital evidence.
The protests are driven by students demanding a complete overhaul of India's public examination system and accountability for high-profile exam paper leaks, especially the medical entrance test NEET, which has caused widespread distress among young people.
The Recent Telegram Ban in India
Dorsey's post comes just weeks after Telegram founder Pavel Durov criticized India's temporary ban on Telegram, alleging misuse of internet routing systems by Reliance Industries and possible competitive pressure from Meta Platforms (Meta (META)). Durov argued the restriction unfairly impacted millions of users while failing to stop NEET exam paper leak networks, though authorities said the measure was needed to curb organized cheating.
Bitchat's Rise and Roadblocks
Jack Dorsey launched the beta version of Bitchat in July 2025. The app is a decentralized messaging platform that operates entirely over Bluetooth without needing internet connectivity. Inspired by early Internet Relay Chat (IRC), it uses Bluetooth mesh networking, message relays, store-and-forward functionality, and encryption for peer-to-peer communication.
According to its white paper, Bitchat uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks for ephemeral, device-only messaging. It works within about a 30-meter Bluetooth range and uses bridge nodes to connect separate user clusters.
In its launch month, Bitchat entered Apple's (Apple (AAPL)) App Store Top 200 free apps, ranking No. 186 in the Business category. But in April 2026, Apple delisted Bitchat from China's App Store after the Cyberspace Administration of China alleged it contained "illegal" content.
Image via Shutterstock
