India orders GitHub to block Bitchat offline messaging app, cites security concerns
The Indian government has directed GitHub to block three repositories hosting Bitchat, an offline messaging application co-founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. The order, issued by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 23, cites concerns that the app could be used to evade surveillance and coordinate unlawful activities during internet restrictions.
Jack Dorsey shared a copy of the blocking order on social media, stating that the government does not like technologies like Bitchat and wants it taken down. The application enables peer-to-peer communication using Bluetooth Low Energy without requiring mobile data, Wi-Fi, or centralised servers, and allows messages to be relayed across up to seven devices. It also supports internet-based messaging through the decentralised Nostr protocol when connectivity is available.
The I4C order invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology Rules, 2021, demanding that GitHub disable access to the main source-code repository, the Android repository, and the APK distribution page within three hours.
The government's action comes amid ongoing student protests at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi, where authorities have repeatedly ordered telecom companies to suspend mobile data services. On Thursday, internet services were suspended within a 1.5-km radius of the protest site, affecting connectivity around Mandi House as well. This marked the sixth such suspension order in a week, disrupting businesses and daily activities.
The I4C order described Bitchat's architecture as one that significantly impedes lawful interception and attribution by law enforcement agencies. It stated that the app's design enables communication even during network restrictions, posing a substantial risk of misuse by anti-national elements, terrorist organisations, and criminal groups. The agency also cited intelligence inputs indicating that such platforms could be exploited to coordinate violent protests, spread misinformation, and maintain communications during internet shutdowns.
Bitchat is an open-source, decentralised messaging platform. It does not require users to create accounts or provide persistent identifiers, and private messages are end-to-end encrypted. The app's GitHub page notes that its offline mode uses Bluetooth Low Energy to connect nearby phones, with each device capable of relaying messages to extend the network's reach.
Queries sent to the Union Home Ministry remained unanswered at the time of publication.
