Government orders GitHub to remove Bluetooth-based chat app Bitchat: Jack Dorsey

The Indian government has asked Github to remove repositories hosting Bitchat, the Bluetooth messaging app developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. The Government of India does not like technologies like Bitchat and wants it taken down, said the app's developer and former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Friday in an X post, sharing a copy of the notice dated July 23. According to the notice, the government has invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, directing GitHub to disable access to three Bitchat repositories within hours. These include both the main project repository and its Android version. The order describes Bitchat as a communication platform capable of establishing decentralized peer-to-peer messaging over Bluetooth mesh networks without relying on mobile networks, internet connectivity, or centralized servers. It argued that the app's architecture significantly impedes lawful interception, attribution, and investigation by law enforcement agencies. The notice also said that such decentralized communication platforms are capable of being exploited for coordinating unlawful assemblies, violent protests, dissemination of misinformation, radicalization, criminal conspiracies, and other activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, public order, and for facilitating the commission of cognizable offences.