Jack Dorsey-backed messaging app Bitchat has been removed from Apple’s India App Store following a takedown demand from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Dorsey shared an Apple App Review notice on October 3 stating that the app would be removed from the Indian App Store following a government demand under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Bitchat is different from conventional messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or Telegram because it is designed to work without an internet connection or cellular network. The app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networking, allowing nearby devices to relay messages between one another. It also does not require a phone number or central messaging server.
The technology had already attracted attention in India earlier this year. In July, India's cybercrime authorities directed GitHub to disable access to Bitchat repositories, citing concerns that decentralized communication platforms could potentially be used to bypass internet restrictions, evade lawful interception and coordinate unlawful activities.
The latest action is broader. Apple confirmed that Bitchat would no longer be available on its Indian App Store or through TestFlight in India. The company's notice did not publicly specify what particular content was considered illegal or which specific grounds under Section 69A were used.
Moneycontrol also reported that Bitchat was unavailable on Google Play in India and that its website was not opening when checked. However, the publication noted that these observations did not independently establish the exact government order responsible for those removals.
The case highlights a growing tension between decentralized communication technology, internet restrictions and government oversight, particularly when apps are designed to continue functioning even when conventional internet connectivity is unavailable.
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