Bitchat, the decentralised messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey, has been removed from Apple and Google's app stores in India. This action follows an order from the Indian government, which had previously sought to restrict access to the open-source software.
Mr Dorsey stated on Saturday that the Indian government had instructed Apple to remove Bitchat from its App Store in the country. A notice from Apple, shared by Mr Dorsey, indicated that India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued the demand under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, a legal provision for government-ordered online blocking.
Bitchat is also no longer available for download via Google Play in India, and its website is inaccessible across various internet service providers in the country. It is not clear if Google and internet service providers received similar directives from the federal government. Apple, Google, and India's IT ministry have not responded to requests for comment.
The app, launched in July last year, uses Bluetooth mesh networking to enable encrypted messaging without relying on cellular networks or internet access. In July 2026, Indian authorities had ordered GitHub to remove repositories associated with Bitchat, citing the app's architecture which makes it difficult for law enforcement to intercept communications or trace users, and its ability to operate during internet shutdowns.
The latest restrictions coincide with new youth-led protests in India concerning changes to voter rolls. During protests in July, demonstrators reportedly used Bitchat and a rival app, Briar, after authorities suspended internet services. Data from Sensor Tower showed that India accounted for approximately 85% of Bitchat's global downloads between 17 and 23 July, up from about 1% in the preceding 30 days.