Indian Govt Orders GitHub to Remove Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat Amid CJP Protests

The Indian government has directed GitHub to remove repositories hosting Bitchat, the Bluetooth-based messaging application developed by Twitter Co-Founder Jack Dorsey, citing concerns that the app could be used to bypass internet shutdowns, evade lawful interception and facilitate unlawful activities during the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests in Delhi.

The order, dated July 23, was issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, read with Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. It instructs GitHub to remove access to the identified URLs within three hours of receiving the notice.

According to the order, GitHub has been asked to disable access to three repositories: permissionlesstech/bitchat, permissionlesstech/bitchat-android, and permissionlesstech/bitchat-android/releases.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) said it identified Bitchat as “a communication platform capable of establishing decentralised peer-to-peer messaging over Bluetooth mesh networks without relying on mobile networks, internet connectivity, or centralised servers.”

According to the notice, the government believes the platform “can be misused to evade lawful surveillance, facilitate anonymous coordination, and circumvent lawful restrictions imposed by competent authorities during situations involving public disorder, riots, terrorism, organised crime, or internet shutdowns.”

The directive reportedly asks GitHub to act against the repositories hosting the application’s source code.

Dorsey published the alleged government notice on X, saying, “The government of india does not like technologies like Bitchat and wants it taken down.”

Bitchat is a decentralised messaging application that operates over Bluetooth mesh networks rather than the internet. Because messages are relayed directly between nearby devices, the app continues to function even when mobile data or Wi-Fi services are unavailable. 

The architecture also means there are no central servers that authorities can access for user records or message logs, making communications significantly harder to monitor.

According to the notice, the absence of a centralised service provider limits the ability of law enforcement agencies to obtain subscriber information, communication records, or timely assistance during investigations.

The notice cites alleged violations of Sections 43, 84B and 84C of the Information Technology Act, 2000, as well as Sections 61 read with 196 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. It classifies the repositories as containing information prohibited under the law.

The order also reminds intermediaries that failure to comply with takedown directions issued under Section 79(3)(b) and the IT Rules, 2021, could result in the loss of safe harbour protections available under Section 79(1) of the Information Technology Act and expose them to legal liability under applicable laws.

The move comes after authorities suspended mobile internet services in parts of Delhi during the ongoing CJP protests. According to the reported government notice, officials believe protesters were using Bluetooth-based messaging applications such as Bitchat to remain connected despite the internet restrictions.