Apple Removes Jack Dorsey-Backed Bitchat From India App Store
Apple removed Jack Dorsey-backed offline messaging app Bitchat from India’s App Store on October 3 after a government takedown demand. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued the demand under Section 69A of India’s Information Technology Act, 2000, according to Apple’s notice shared by Dorsey.
Apple said Bitchat contained content considered illegal in India and therefore did not comply with its App Review Guidelines. However, the notice did not identify the specific content or legal ground involved. Apple said the app would remain available in other markets, while its TestFlight version would also become unavailable in India.
The action follows earlier government efforts targeting Bitchat and other decentralized messaging platforms during July protests. Bitchat uses Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking, allowing nearby phones to relay messages without internet access, phone numbers, or central servers.
Why it matters
The removal highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of decentralized communication tools in India. It also shows how government orders can affect access to open-source and offline technologies.
