India Orders Removal of Offline Messaging App Bitchat

By: rootdata|2026/07/30 11:30:00

The Indian Cyber Crime Agency has ordered GitHub to remove repositories related to "Bitchat," a decentralized messaging application created by Jack Dorsey (CEO of Block). This action comes as authorities seek to limit the use of offline mesh network technology during anti-government protests in New Delhi.

According to reports from Mihan Blockchain, the order, issued by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) and based on Section 79(3)(b) of the country's Information Technology Act, targets three GitHub repositories associated with this open-source application. Reports indicate that the platform has been given three hours to disable access to them.

Unlike conventional messaging platforms, Bitchat allows encrypted messages to be exchanged directly between nearby smartphones using a Bluetooth mesh network.

This application operates without the need for an internet connection, mobile networks, user accounts, or centralized servers, enabling messages to be transferred from device to device until they reach their final destination or connect to the internet.

The software also supports the transfer of Bitcoin transactions through the same mesh network, allowing transactions to be broadcast on the network as soon as one of the connected devices regains internet access.

According to the government notice, officials argue that Bitchat's decentralized architecture significantly complicates legal interception and criminal investigations, as the app does not require registration, phone numbers, or centralized data recording.

This reported action comes amid ongoing protests in New Delhi, where demonstrators have faced frequent internet shutdowns imposed around protest sites.

Researchers monitoring these protests have reported that some participants have turned to Bluetooth mesh networking applications, including Bitchat, to maintain communications during internet outages.

At the time of this news release, it was still unclear whether GitHub had agreed to this removal request. The application was also still available through major mobile app stores.

This case represents an increasing challenge for regulatory bodies as communication technologies become more decentralized.

Traditional online platforms generally rely on centralized servers that can be monitored or restricted through legal orders. However, mesh network applications operate differently, allowing nearby devices to communicate directly without relying on conventional telecommunications infrastructure.

Even if the source code is removed from a hosting platform, open-source software is typically copied and replicated across multiple other repositories, making complete removal difficult.

This controversy highlights an emerging political debate regarding decentralized communication technologies.

Governments are increasingly viewing encrypted and serverless applications as potential barriers to law enforcement during periods of civil unrest, while privacy advocates argue that such tools provide resilient and sustainable communications during disasters, infrastructure failures, and government-imposed internet shutdowns.

This case may also influence future regulatory approaches toward decentralized applications that combine encrypted communications with blockchain-based financial capabilities.

Bitchat was launched in 2025 as an open-source project by Jack Dorsey, CEO of "Block." This application uses Bluetooth mesh networking to directly transfer encrypted messages among nearby smartphones without requiring internet access, centralized servers, or user registration. The software also includes a feature for transferring Bitcoin transactions across this mesh network, as long as a connected device can broadcast them on the Bitcoin network. Mesh network applications have gained attention in recent years for their ability to maintain communications during natural disasters, network outages, and internet restrictions imposed by governments, while simultaneously raising new legal and regulatory questions regarding surveillance and legal access.

-- Price

--

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online promotions, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. The availability of WEEX services, products, and related events may vary by region. You are responsible for ensuring that your participation is in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.

You may also like

iconiconiconiconiconiconicon
Customer Support:@weikecs
Business Cooperation:@weikecs
Quant Trading & MM:bd@weex.com
VIP Program:support@weex.com