Archive · 25 Jul 2026
India Blocks Bitchat App Amid Youth Protests
The Indian government has asked GitHub to block the Bitchat app, which lets people message without the internet.
They say it could be used for bad things like protests and spreading false information.
But some people who care about internet freedom say the government is being unfair and that the app should not be blocked.
The app is used by young people protesting about exams in Delhi.
The protests started in June and have been growing.
The Indian government directed GitHub to block Bitchat, a Bluetooth-based messaging app that works without the internet.
The app is used by youth protesters in Delhi who are demonstrating against alleged irregularities in competitive exams.
The government cited security concerns, claiming the app could be used for unlawful activities.
The Internet Freedom Foundation condemned the move, calling it unconstitutional and authoritarian.
The protests began on June 6 and have spread across the country, gaining support after a police crackdown.
- Who
- The Union Home Ministry of India and the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF)
- What
- Blocking of the Bitchat messaging app on GitHub
- When
- July 24, 2026
- Where
- India, specifically Delhi
- Why
- Government cited security concerns, while IFF condemned the move as unconstitutional and authoritarian.
Government's Security Concerns
Digital Rights Advocates
Reason for Blocking
Government's Security Concerns
The government claims Bitchat could be used for unlawful assemblies, violent protests, and other activities prejudicial to national security.
Digital Rights Advocates
The Internet Freedom Foundation argues the order is unconstitutional and authoritarian, citing lack of specific unlawful content in the repositories.
Legal Basis
Government's Security Concerns
The government issued the order under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Digital Rights Advocates
The IFF questions the legal basis, stating that concerns about possible misuse cannot justify blocking access to the code.
- Date of Blocking Notice
- July 24, 2026
- Application Name
- Bitchat
- Developer
- Jack Dorsey
- Protest Location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Protest Start Date
- June 6, 2026
- Government Agency
- Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C)
- Legal Basis
- Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
