Centre Cracks Down on BitChat: GitHub Told to Take Down Jack Dorsey's Offline Messaging App Amid CJP Protests

The Indian government has directed GitHub to remove the repositories of BitChat, an offline messaging application created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. The move comes amid ongoing protests by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) at Jantar Mantar and reflects growing concerns over decentralised communication platforms that operate without internet or cellular connectivity.

According to reports, the directive was issued by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Authorities argue that apps like BitChat could be misused for anonymous communication, large-scale coordination, and the rapid spread of misinformation during sensitive public gatherings.

Why the Government Wants BitChat Removed

Unlike conventional messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram, BitChat does not rely on mobile networks or cloud servers. Instead, it uses a Bluetooth mesh network, allowing nearby devices to relay messages from one phone to another without an internet connection.

Officials reportedly believe this decentralised architecture makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify users, retrieve chat records, or monitor communications in real time. Since messages never pass through a central server, authorities claim the platform limits their ability to investigate incidents or intervene during emergencies.

The government also expressed concerns that anonymous peer-to-peer networks could be used to coordinate protests or circulate misinformation without leaving a traceable digital footprint.

GitHub Asked to Remove BitChat Repositories

The Ministry reportedly identified three GitHub repositories associated with BitChat and instructed the developer platform to disable public access to them within three hours.

Officials warned that failure to comply could result in GitHub losing its safe harbour protection under Indian law, potentially exposing the platform to legal liability for hosting content that authorities consider unlawful.

The action marks one of the strongest enforcement measures taken against an open-source decentralised communication project in India.

What Is BitChat?

BitChat is an offline messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey, best known as the co-founder of Twitter (now X). The application enables users to send messages without Wi-Fi, mobile data, SIM cards, or internet access.

Using Bluetooth mesh networking, each participating smartphone acts as a relay, forwarding messages to nearby devices. This creates a temporary local network that can continue functioning even during internet shutdowns or mobile network disruptions.

The platform has been promoted as a privacy-focused alternative to traditional messaging apps because conversations remain local instead of being routed through cloud infrastructure.

Jack Dorsey Reacts

Following the government's directive, Jack Dorsey shared the takedown notice on X, criticising the move.

He suggested that the Indian government opposes decentralised technologies such as BitChat and argued that authorities are attempting to restrict access to software designed to operate outside traditional internet infrastructure.

His remarks have reignited debates around privacy, censorship, and the future of decentralised communication platforms.

Privacy vs National Security

The BitChat takedown request underscores the growing global debate between digital privacy and national security.

Supporters of decentralised messaging platforms argue that such technologies protect free expression, safeguard user privacy, and provide resilient communication during internet shutdowns or natural disasters.

Government agencies, however, maintain that encrypted, serverless, and anonymous communication tools create significant challenges for lawful investigations, public safety operations, and efforts to combat misinformation during large-scale events.

As decentralised applications become increasingly popular, regulatory scrutiny is also expected to intensify. The government's action against BitChat could set an important precedent for open-source developers, hosting platforms like GitHub, and future privacy-focused communication tools operating in India.