Decentralized messaging app Bitchat, developed by Jack Dorsey, has been removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play in India. The action follows a government order issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.
Apple confirmed that the app remains available in other regions, but access via the TestFlight beta service is now blocked in India. Additionally, the Bitchat website has become inaccessible through local internet service providers.
The app, launched in July 2025, utilizes Bluetooth mesh networking for encrypted communication without internet or cellular reliance. In July 2026, Indian authorities previously ordered GitHub to remove repositories associated with the project.
The government cited concerns regarding the app's architecture, which prevents law enforcement from intercepting communications or tracing users during internet shutdowns. The Internet Freedom Foundation has criticized the move as unconstitutional.
The restrictions coincide with ongoing youth-led protests in New Delhi regarding voter roll changes. During recent demonstrations, authorities suspended internet services in parts of the city, leading to a surge in Bitchat usage within the country.
