2 hrs ago
India Removes Bitchat Over Government Cited Law-and-Order Risks
India has removed Bitchat from its app stores.
Bitchat lets nearby devices send messages to one another using Bluetooth, even when regular internet service is restricted.
Government sources said this could let people communicate in ways that make it harder for authorities to enforce public-order restrictions.
Apple said it removed the app after receiving a request from India’s technology ministry.
The app has also been removed from Google Play in India.
It is still available in some other places, according to Apple.
Bitchat had also been targeted during protests over exam paper leaks.
Separately, government sources said India is not proposing a social-media ban for children and is looking for other possible approaches.
Government sources said Bitchat was removed from Indian app stores because its Bluetooth messaging could pose law-and-order risks.
Apple’s notice said the removal followed a demand from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act.
The app was also pulled from Google Play in India, but Apple said it remains available in other selected territories.
Bitchat had previously faced a removal order to GitHub from India’s cybercrime coordination centre during protests over exam paper leaks.
Government sources ruled out a proposal to ban minors from social media and said officials are consulting industry and experts on possible solutions.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology sought the removal of Bitchat, developed by Jack Dorsey.
- What
- Bitchat was removed from app stores in India over stated law-and-order concerns.
- Where
- India’s Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- When
- The removal was reported after Apple notified the developer; government sources commented on Tuesday.
- Why
- Government sources said Bluetooth messaging across multiple devices could be used to bypass restrictions and create law-and-order concerns.
Government’s stated concerns
Developer’s criticism
Risk from decentralized messaging
Government’s stated concerns
Government sources said Bitchat’s Bluetooth messaging across multiple devices could be used to bypass law-and-order restrictions. An earlier cybercrime notice also cited risks of evading lawful detection and restrictions.
Developer’s criticism
Jack Dorsey previously said the Indian government did not like technologies such as Bitchat and wanted it taken down.
Key facts
- App
- Bitchat, an offline messaging app using Bluetooth
- Developer
- Jack Dorsey
- Government agency
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Legal basis cited
- Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, according to Dorsey’s post
- Stores affected
- Apple App Store and Google Play Store in India
- Earlier action
- In July, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre ordered GitHub to remove Bitchat
- Other territories
- Apple said the app remained available in other territories selected in App Store Connect
Quotes
Jack Dorsey
Bitchat developer and Twitter co-founder
“Government of India officially removes Bitchat from the App Store.”
NDTV
Apple App Review team
Apple team that notified the developer of the app’s removal
“We are writing to notify you that your application, per demand from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), will be removed from the India App Store because it includes content that is illegal in India, which is not in compliance with the App Review Guidelines.”
NDTV
Sources
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