Archive · 7 Oct 2026
India Removes Bitchat From App Stores Over Law-and-Order Concerns
India has removed Bitchat from its app stores.
Bitchat lets nearby phones send messages to one another using Bluetooth, even when normal internet service is restricted.
Government sources said messages can pass between several devices and might be used to get around official restrictions.
Apple said it removed the app after a request from India’s technology ministry.
The app was also removed from Google Play in India, but Apple said it remains available in some other territories.
Bitchat had faced an earlier removal order involving GitHub after people used Bluetooth messaging during a protest where internet service was temporarily restricted.
Its developer, Jack Dorsey, criticized that earlier action.
Separately, government sources said officials are not proposing a social-media ban for children.
They said they are consulting industry representatives and experts about other possible solutions.
Apple removed Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat from India’s App Store after a demand from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; the app was also removed from Google Play in India.
Government sources said Bitchat’s Bluetooth messaging, which can relay messages through several device-to-device hops, could bypass restrictions and create law-and-order risks.
Apple’s notice cited the ministry’s request and said the app contained content illegal in India; Dorsey’s post said the demand was issued under Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre had previously ordered GitHub to remove Bitchat after users were observed using Bluetooth messaging during a protest near Jantar Mantar despite temporary internet restrictions.
Government sources said there is no current proposal to ban minors from social media and that officials are consulting industry and experts about possible alternatives.
- Who
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology sought Bitchat’s removal; the app was developed by Jack Dorsey.
- What
- Bitchat was removed from app stores in India after the government cited law-and-order concerns.
- When
- The removal was reported after Apple notified Dorsey; government sources discussed the issue on Tuesday.
- Where
- India’s Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- Why
- Government sources said Bitchat’s Bluetooth messaging could bypass restrictions and pose law-and-order risks.
Government’s stated concerns
Developer’s criticism
Decentralized messaging and restrictions
Government’s stated concerns
Government sources said Bitchat’s Bluetooth messaging can relay communications across devices and could be used to bypass restrictions, creating law-and-order concerns. An earlier notice also raised risks of evading lawful detection and surveillance.
Developer’s criticism
Jack Dorsey previously criticized the government’s action, saying it did not like technologies such as Bitchat and wanted the app taken down.
- App
- Bitchat, an offline messaging app using Bluetooth
- Developer
- Jack Dorsey
- Government ministry
- 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 in India
- Availability elsewhere
- Apple said the app remained available in other territories selected in App Store Connect
- Earlier action
- In July, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre ordered GitHub to remove Bitchat
- Social-media proposal
- Government sources said no proposal to ban minors from social media is currently being considered
