New Delhi: The Indian government has urged GitHub to take down repositories that contain the Bluetooth mesh messaging application “Bitchat”, developed
by the co-founder of Twitter (now X), Jack Dorsey, due to security and public order concerns. The app could be used to circumvent lawful surveillance and restriction on the internet, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The decision follows the authorities’ continued efforts to beef up security in the city ahead of the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). As mobile internet services are temporarily shut down in parts of central Delhi, there has been an increased interest in offline communication platforms that don’t require a cellular network or internet connectivity. The government feels that such tools can be used to coordinate such illegal activities during times of public order.
I4C cites security risks, seeks GitHub takedown
In the July 23 order, I4C has invoked the provision of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act and Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The agency instructed GitHub to remove or disable access to three Bitchat-related repositories within three hours.
the government of india does not like technologies like bitchat and wants it taken down pic.twitter.com/gjzMg1NGCi
— jack (@jack) July 24, 2026
The order says that Bitchat allows users to connect and communicate directly with each other using Bluetooth mesh networks without needing mobile networks, the internet or a central server. I4C stated this design creates a greater challenge for law enforcement in lawful interception and user attribution and for investigations of criminals.
Government flags potential misuse during protests
The agency said intelligence inputs indicate that such platforms as Bitchat can be used to organise unlawful assemblies and violent protests, spread misinformation, form criminal conspiracies and engage in activities that endanger public order or the sovereignty and security of India.
The government pointed to the main Bitchat repository and its Android counterpart in the takedown notice it posted to GitHub. At the time of writing, GitHub has not issued a public comment on the order. Moneycontrol reported that it had requested a comment from I4C, which will be updated in case the ministry issues a statement.
What is Bitchat?
Jack Dorsey launched an open-source messaging service, Bitchat, to enable people to send messages through Bluetooth mesh technology with devices in their immediate vicinity. The app doesn’t need an internet connection, phone numbers or centralised servers, which makes it suitable for communication without the internet.
Decentralised digital platforms have been Dorsey‘s agenda for a long time. In addition to Bitchat, he has also supported decentralised social media projects and was a former member of the board of Bluesky, which he left last year.
