Apple Removes Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat From India App Store Following IT Ministry Demand
Apple has removed the decentralized offline messaging application Bitchat from its India App Store following an official demand from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Twitter co-founder and Bitchat developer Jack Dorsey disclosed the takedown on X, sharing a notice from Apple's App Review team that cited Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Although removing the software from the storefront prevents new installations and security updates, it leaves existing copies installed on mobile devices untouched. Section 69A of the Information Technology Act has previously been used to block numerous other instant messaging applications.
According to the documentation provided by Apple to the developer, the application was removed because its content was deemed illegal in India and failed to comply with local App Review requirements. The notice advised that the developer must contact the ministry directly for further details regarding the takedown and local legal provisions. According to The Hindu, in addition to the removal from the public storefront, Apple confirmed that TestFlight versions of the app would no longer function or be available for internal and external testing within India, while public TestFlight links have been rendered inactive.
According to The Hindu, for Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, The July regulatory notice against Bitchat cited violations of Sections 43, 84B, and 84C of the IT Act and provisions prejudicial to national sovereignty, state security, and public order.
Prior Regulatory Scrutiny and GitHub Action
The takedown follows earlier government intervention against the application in July. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Home Ministry, had previously issued a directive to GitHub to remove Bitchat repositories. That initial action was triggered after protesters from the Cockroach Janata Party utilized Bluetooth messaging capabilities at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to maintain communication during temporary local internet shutdowns.
Authorities had raised serious concerns regarding the platform's decentralized mesh architecture. Because devices connect directly via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) without relying on cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or central servers, government security agencies argued that the technology hampers lawful interception and attribution. Officials warned that such mesh networks could potentially be exploited to coordinate unauthorized assemblies and bypass legally enforced communication restrictions.
Operational Mechanics and Regional Availability
Bitchat enables users to communicate locally without internet connectivity by relaying encrypted messages from device to device across a Bluetooth mesh network. The application does not require conventional user accounts, traditional phone number registration, or cellular infrastructure.
The Internet Freedom Foundation demanded that the IT ministry publish the blocking order, the grounds invoked, and the hearing record, while serving the developers with a copy and a hearing opportunity. Bluetooth mesh networks operate as low-power, low-bandwidth wireless systems where messages travel directly between radio-range nodes.
While the application and its testing tools remain entirely blocked across India, Apple noted that Bitchat continues to be available in other regional App Stores authorized through App Store Connect. Technical reports also indicated that Bitchat's official website was inaccessible across multiple Internet Service Providers in the country following the enforcement action.