Story perspectives

India Orders GitHub to Remove Bitchat Repos, Faces Criticism

7/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

On July 23, India’s Internet and Mobile Association (I4C) ordered GitHub to delete three Bitchat repositories within three hours.
The notice warned that Bitchat could be used to evade surveillance and facilitate unlawful assemblies and protests.
I4C said the app’s design hinders lawful interception and violates Sections 43, 84B, 84C and 61 of the IT Act.
Internet Freedom Foundation called the order unconstitutional and authoritarian, arguing Section 79 does not grant a general blocking power.

History

Historical Context

India’s use of Section 69A to block Chinese software dates back to the 2020-2021 border clash, when the Ministry of Electronics ordered the removal of 59 apps on 29 June 2020, followed by further bans in November 2020 and February 2022. The July 23 IAMAI takedown of GitHub’s Bitchat repos shows the same outdated IT Act provisions, prompting the Internet Freedom Foundation to call for legal reform.

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Story summary

On July 23, India’s Internet and Mobile Association (I4C) ordered GitHub to delete three Bitchat repositories within three hours.
The notice warned that Bitchat could be used to evade surveillance and facilitate unlawful assemblies and protests.
I4C said the app’s design hinders lawful interception and violates Sections 43, 84B, 84C and 61 of the IT Act.
Internet Freedom Foundation called the order unconstitutional and authoritarian, arguing Section 79 does not grant a general blocking power.

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