Apple has taken the significant step of removing Bitchat, the decentralized messaging application developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, from its App Store in India. This action follows a directive from the Indian federal government, which invoked a national security provision to enforce the takedown. Dorsey shared this development on October 3, 2026, through a notice from Apple’s App Review team posted on X.
The notice indicated that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) mandated the removal under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. This provision allows the central government to block access to digital information on grounds such as national sovereignty, state security, and public order. Notably, Apple’s communication did not specify the content that was deemed illegal. The app will continue to be available in other regions, but both internal and external TestFlight testing, as well as public beta links, will be inaccessible to users in India. Dorsey was advised to reach out to MeitY for further clarification.
A Different Legal Route
This recent order represents a shift from the government’s earlier approach to restrict the software. On July 23, 2026, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, operating under the Home Ministry, had requested GitHub to disable access to three Bitchat repositories within a tight three-hour window. This earlier directive invoked Section 79(3)(b) and Rule 3(1)(d), which pertain to intermediary liability for third-party content, and warned GitHub of the potential loss of legal protections should it fail to comply.
The Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights organization based in New Delhi, contested the July order, arguing that authorities had circumvented the established blocking framework outlined in the 2009 Blocking Rules. The organization also called for transparency regarding the takedown directions issued through this contentious legal route.
Reports indicate that similar notices in July also targeted Google and Apple concerning various offline messaging applications. However, officials later informed the companies that compliance was not necessary, allowing those applications to remain available in Indian app stores.
How Bitchat Works
Dorsey introduced Bitchat as open-source software in July 2025, initially describing it as an experimental weekend project. The application facilitates local Bluetooth mesh communication and internet messaging via the Nostr protocol. This innovative design allows nearby phones to discover each other and relay messages across participating devices without the need for a mobile network. Users can engage without accounts or phone numbers, and private Bluetooth messages are secured through end-to-end encryption using the Noise Protocol.
The app’s architecture, which does not depend on a central messaging server, has raised concerns from the Indian government. In its previous order to GitHub, authorities noted that this design complicates law enforcement’s ability to intercept communications or trace users, particularly during internet shutdowns.
The Internet Freedom Foundation has labeled the latest order unconstitutional, asserting that while Section 69A permits the government to block unlawful information, it should not extend to a messaging app solely based on its capability to function during network restrictions. The organization highlighted that neither the blocking order nor the content cited as illegal had been made public.
Protest Context and Download Surge
The timing of these restrictions coincides with a resurgence of youth-led protests in India regarding changes to the country’s voter rolls. Recent demonstrations in New Delhi resulted in police detaining several individuals, as protesters called for the resignation of the chief election commissioner over alleged electoral manipulation. Authorities temporarily suspended internet services around New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for 12 hours during these protests.
During the protests in July, demonstrators reportedly turned to Bitchat and its competitor Briar, particularly after authorities imposed internet suspensions. Interest in Bitchat surged dramatically in India during this period, with the country accounting for approximately 85% of the app’s global downloads between July 17 and July 23, a significant increase from around 1% in the preceding 30 days, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.
| Period | India Share of Global Downloads |
|---|---|
| 30 days before July 17 | ~1% |
| July 17-23 | ~85% |
The latest notice does not indicate that existing installations on devices have been disabled. Given Bitchat’s Bluetooth architecture, users with the app can continue to communicate locally without relying on app store distribution or a central server.
Previously, in May 2023, India invoked Section 69A against messaging applications following a request from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre concerning Jammu and Kashmir. This earlier request targeted 14 applications allegedly used for communication by terrorists and their supporters. Reports indicate that Briar was among the services blocked during that process.
In a parallel development, China also mandated Apple to remove Bitchat from its local store in April 2026, citing security assessment rules that govern applications capable of influencing public opinion or mobilizing users.
The removal of Bitchat from Indian app stores could hinder new users from joining local messaging networks during future internet shutdowns, according to digital rights advocates. They argue that the government’s justification for blocking the app based on anticipated misuse sets a concerning precedent for restricting software based on its technical capabilities rather than specific unlawful content.
Apple’s App Review Guidelines stipulate that developers must adhere to local laws in the territories where they distribute their software. The notice sent to Dorsey framed the removal as part of Apple’s legal compliance obligations across different regions.
