government censorship Archives

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

The offline messaging apps challenging internet shutdowns

Governments are finding it harder to suppress protests through internet shutdowns due to the use of offline messaging applications. Bitchat, an app launched in 2025 by Jack Dorsey, allows devices to communicate via Bluetooth without internet access and gained popularity during recent student protests in New Delhi amid an internet blackout. The Indian government attempted to block access to Bitchat's source code on GitHub, marking a notable first instance of trying to geoblock an open-source repository. On July 26, Bitchat had 430,000 daily active users in India, with 74% of global downloads occurring in the country from July 20 to July 26. The app has been used in various protests globally, including those in Hong Kong, Myanmar, Nepal, Uganda, Madagascar, and Iran. On July 23, the Indian government ordered GitHub to disable access to three Bitchat repositories in India quickly. Jack Dorsey expressed concerns about the Indian government's stance on Bitchat, while digital rights advocates criticized the government's actions as unnecessary. The repositories remained accessible in India and were mirrored on decentralized platforms, complicating removal efforts. India's government has increasingly scrutinized communication platforms based on their design, imposing restrictions on apps like Telegram and WhatsApp.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Russia probes Telegram founder Durov to crush messaging app

Moscow is conducting a criminal investigation into Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, over accusations of terrorism, as reported by the state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta. The Russian government aims to control Telegram, which has over 1 billion active users, and is promoting a state-supported alternative, MAX. The investigation is based on allegations that Telegram assists terrorist activities, with claims that it serves as a tool for hybrid threats and poses risks to national security. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted substantial violations linked to Telegram's operations. In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia is increasing its repressive measures and digital surveillance, targeting VPNs and messaging apps to enhance national security. Despite these challenges, Telegram remains a crucial news source in Russia and is used by various groups, including Kremlin officials and opposition figures. Durov opposes government censorship and argues that the crackdown aims to push citizens towards a state-controlled app. He has previously faced scrutiny for his refusal to comply with Russian authorities and has criticized other governments for their influence on digital freedoms. The Russian FSB claims that Ukraine is exploiting data from Telegram for military purposes.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

UK-based pair behind messaging app accused of giving data to Iranian regime

Hadi and Mahdi Anjidani, co-founders of TS Information Technology, operate a messaging app called Gap Messenger, which is associated with the Iranian regime. Their company is based in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, and is linked to the Iranian software corporation Towse’e Saman Information Technology (TSIT). Despite claims of encryption and user privacy, experts have raised concerns about Gap Messenger's role in government censorship in Iran. Mahdi Anjidani has expressed pro-regime views in Iranian media and has connections to the Iranian government through his ventures. Gap Messenger has over 1 million downloads on Google Play and is part of Iran's domestic internet network aimed at controlling citizen access to information. Reports suggest that the app may have shared user data with Iranian authorities. The Anjidani brothers have ties to various business ventures in Iran, including a social network and a payment platform.

AppWizard

August 29, 2025

Editorial

Messaging app Telegram has applied for registration in Nepal after facing a ban imposed by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority due to its association with criminal activities. The ban, enacted in July, followed an increase in cybercrime linked to Telegram, including cyber fraud. Telegram is known for its cloud-based architecture, encryption, and privacy features, which have made it popular for secure communication but also a platform for illicit activities. Recent scrutiny has led to Telegram's co-founder, Pavel Durov, being arrested in France amid an investigation into crimes facilitated by the app. Although Telegram has started complying with legal requests in certain jurisdictions, this does not include Nepal. The Nepalese government is seeking to establish a framework that balances user privacy with public safety as it considers Telegram's registration.