Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Apple Removes Bitchat From India Store After MeitY Demand
Jack Dorsey says Apple removed his messaging app Bitchat from its store in India after a request from the government’s IT ministry.
Apple’s notice said the app included content considered illegal in India and referred to a law called Section 69A.
The notice did not explain which content was at issue or the exact legal reason for the request.
Bitchat lets nearby devices exchange messages using Bluetooth, without internet access or central servers.
Apple said the app would still be available in other places chosen by its developer.
In India, its TestFlight testing versions and public links would no longer work.
Government authorities had also acted against Bitchat in July, asking GitHub to remove its repositories.
They raised concerns that the app could let people communicate during internet restrictions and avoid lawful monitoring.
The articles do not report a detailed response from Dorsey to the latest removal notice.
Jack Dorsey said Apple removed his offline messaging app Bitchat from India’s App Store following a demand from MeitY.
Apple’s notice said the app contained content considered illegal in India and cited Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The notice did not identify the content at issue or the specific Section 69A ground for the demand.
Apple said Bitchat would remain available in other territories selected by its developer, but its TestFlight versions and public links would be unavailable in India.
In July, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre sought removal of Bitchat repositories from GitHub, citing potential misuse to evade surveillance and internet restrictions.
- Who
- Apple removed Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat from the India App Store after a demand from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- What
- Bitchat was removed from the India App Store, and its TestFlight testing versions and public links became unavailable in India.
- When
- Dorsey announced the removal on October 3, 2026; the articles also report an earlier action in July.
- Where
- India; Apple said Bitchat remained available in other territories selected by its developer.
- Why
- Apple’s notice said the app contained content considered illegal in India and cited a MeitY demand under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. It did not specify the content or the particular legal ground.
Authorities’ concerns
App details and unanswered questions
Decentralised messaging and oversight
Authorities’ concerns
The July notice said Bitchat could enable communication during network restrictions, evade lawful surveillance, and be misused for unlawful coordination.
App details and unanswered questions
Bitchat is described as using Bluetooth to let nearby devices communicate without internet access or central servers; the articles do not provide a detailed response from Dorsey to those concerns.
Basis for the latest removal
Authorities’ concerns
Apple said MeitY requested the removal because the app contained content considered illegal in India and cited Section 69A.
App details and unanswered questions
The notice shared by Dorsey did not identify the specific content or the particular Section 69A ground behind the demand.
- App
- Bitchat, an offline messaging application using Bluetooth-based peer-to-peer or mesh communication
- Developer
- Jack Dorsey
- Removal scope
- India App Store; other territories selected by the developer were unaffected
- Cited legal provision
- Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000
- TestFlight availability
- Internal and external testing versions and public links were to be unavailable in India
- Earlier action
- In July, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre directed GitHub to remove Bitchat repositories
- July concerns
- Authorities cited risks including evading lawful surveillance and communicating during internet restrictions
Sources
Apple removes Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat from India App Store, cites MeitY order under IT act
Apple removes Bitchat from India app store
Apple removes 'Bitchat' from 'India App Store' after MeitY order: Jack Dorsey
Bitchat removed from Apple’s India App Store following govt’s demand: Jack Dorsey
Bitchat Removed From Apple's India App Store After Centre's Order
