India
oi-Swastika Sruti
In the latest development, Union government has directed Microsoft – owned GitHub to remove Bitchat – a Bluetooth-based messaging application created by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Authorities have raised concerns that the app could be misused by terrorists, organised crime groups and other anti-national elements to communicate without being tracked by law enforcement agencies.
India’s government has requested GitHub remove the Bitchat app, created by Jack Dorsey, citing fears that its peer-to-peer Bluetooth messaging could be exploited by criminals and terrorists for untraceable communication, especially during internet restrictions observed at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protests.
The move comes after officials observed the use of Bluetooth-based messaging apps during the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where temporary internet restrictions had been imposed.
Why Has The Government Raised Concerns?
According to the notice issued by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Bitchat allows users to send messages without relying on mobile networks, Wi-Fi or internet connectivity.
Instead, the application works through a Bluetooth mesh network, enabling nearby devices to communicate directly with each other. Since it does not require phone number verification, user registration or central servers, authorities believe it becomes difficult to identify users or trace conversations.
The government said this design could make investigations more challenging, especially in cases involving public disorder, terrorism or organised crime.
Authorities Say App Could Be Misused
In its notice to GitHub, I4C said the app’s decentralised communication system could be exploited to coordinate unlawful activities while avoiding lawful surveillance.
Officials warned that such platforms may be used during internet shutdowns or network restrictions to continue communication without detection.
According to the notice, intelligence inputs suggest that anonymous offline messaging platforms could potentially be used for coordinating unlawful gatherings, spreading misinformation, planning criminal activities or supporting actions that threaten public order and national security.
Link To Delhi Protest
The notice comes amid the ongoing CJP protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.
Authorities reportedly noticed several protesters using Bluetooth-based messaging applications after temporary internet restrictions were imposed around Jantar Mantar during demonstrations.
Jack Dorsey Reacts To The Notice
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey shared a copy of the government’s notice on social media platform X. Reacting to the development, he wrote that the Government of India did not like technologies such as Bitchat and wanted the application removed from GitHub.
