2 hrs ago
India Removes Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat From App Stores
India’s government directed Apple and Google to remove Bitchat from their app stores in the country.
Bitchat is a messaging app created by Jack Dorsey.
It can send messages between nearby phones using Bluetooth, without needing the internet.
The government’s directive reportedly referred to countering terrorist financing and helping law enforcement.
A digital rights group called the removal unconstitutional.
It argued that the law cited should be used to block unlawful information, not an entire messaging app.
Removing the app from stores stops new downloads there, but may not erase it from phones that already have it.
The article says the app can still be downloaded globally.
Apple and Google removed Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat from their Indian app stores following a government directive.
The directive reportedly cited Countering the Financing of Terrorism provisions and law-enforcement compliance.
Bitchat uses Bluetooth mesh networking to send messages between nearby devices without internet or cellular service.
The Internet Freedom Foundation said the removal was unconstitutional, arguing Section 69A allows blocking unlawful information, not a messenger.
The article says existing installations and independently distributed versions may remain usable, while Bitchat is still available globally.
- Who
- India’s government, Apple, Google, Bitchat developer Jack Dorsey, and the Internet Freedom Foundation.
- What
- Bitchat was removed from Apple’s and Google’s Indian app stores following a government directive.
- Where
- India.
- When
- After the directive; the article does not specify a date.
- Why
- The directive reportedly cited Countering the Financing of Terrorism provisions and law-enforcement compliance.
Government and enforcement rationale
Digital rights concerns
Removal from Indian app stores
Government and enforcement rationale
The government directive reportedly cited Countering the Financing of Terrorism provisions and law-enforcement compliance.
Digital rights concerns
The Internet Freedom Foundation said the removal was unconstitutional and argued that Section 69A permits blocking unlawful information, not a messenger for operating during internet shutdowns.
Effectiveness of the takedown
Government and enforcement rationale
The directive led Apple and Google to remove Bitchat from their app stores in India, restricting new downloads through those stores.
Digital rights concerns
The article says app-store removals do not disable existing installations and describes code mirroring, side-loading, and forks as ways the software may continue to circulate.
Key facts
- App
- Bitchat
- Developer
- Jack Dorsey
- App stores affected
- Apple App Store and Google Play Store in India
- Technology described
- Peer-to-peer Bluetooth mesh networking
- Government rationale cited
- Countering the Financing of Terrorism provisions and law-enforcement compliance
- Legal provision challenged
- Section 69A of India’s Information Technology Act
- Availability
- The article says Bitchat remains available to download globally.
Quotes
Internet Freedom Foundation
Indian digital rights organisation commenting on the app’s removal
“The removal of BitChat from the India App Store is unconstitutional. Section 69A permits the blocking of unlawful information, not of a messenger for working during internet shutdowns.”
financialexpress.com









