Full Breakdown
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Orders Removal of Bitchat from Apple’s India App Store
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 3, 2026, Apple removed the offline, Bluetooth-mesh messaging application Bitchat from its India App Store after receiving a takedown demand from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The removal applies only to the Indian storefront; the app remains listed in other territories and the TestFlight beta-testing service is also disabled for Indian users.
Background & Context
Bitchat, launched in July 2025 by Jack Dorsey, enables peer-to-peer encrypted messaging via Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking, allowing communication without cellular data, Wi-Fi, phone numbers, or central servers. Because the architecture can function during internet shutdowns, Indian authorities have expressed security concerns.
In July 2026, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) issued a notice to GitHub directing the removal of three Bitchat repositories under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act.
Timeline
- July 23, 2026 – I4C directs GitHub to remove Bitchat repositories.
- July 17 – July 23, 2026 – Bitchat accounts for roughly 85 % of its global downloads, up from about 1 % in the prior 30 days (Sensor Tower).
- October 3, 2026 – Apple removes Bitchat from the India App Store and disables TestFlight links, citing MeitY’s Section 69A demand.
- October 3, 2026 – TechCrunch confirms Bitchat is also unavailable on Google Play in India; the app’s website is inaccessible across Indian ISPs.
Data & Statistics
- Download surge: 85 % of global Bitchat downloads originated from India between July 17 and July 23, 2026.
- User activity: Daily active users in India peaked above 330,000 on July 23, 2026.
- Technical reach: Bluetooth mesh networking allows devices to relay messages over 30–100 m, extending communication through multiple hops.
Official Statements & Responses
The notice did not specify the particular content deemed illegal or the exact ground under Section 69A. Apple advised the developer to contact MeitY for clarification. No additional details were provided in the public notice.
Criticism & Opposition
The Internet Freedom Foundation has labeled the Section 69A order “unconstitutional,” arguing that the provision is intended to block unlawful *information* rather than an entire communications technology. The IFF notes that the order does not disclose the specific illegal content, preventing independent verification.
On-the-Ground Reports
During the July 2026 protests organized by the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar, authorities imposed a temporary internet shutdown. Protesters turned to Bitchat and a rival app, Briar, to coordinate activities. Police detained several demonstrators on October 3, 2026, as protests continued over alleged manipulation of voter rolls.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Google Play status: TechCrunch observed Bitchat absent from Google Play on October 3, 2026, but could not confirm whether Google received a separate MeitY directive.
- Website accessibility: Outlets reported that Bitchat’s website was inaccessible across Indian ISPs, with no official clarification on the cause.
- Content specifics: Neither Apple’s notice nor MeitY’s public communication identified the exact content or legal ground invoked under Section 69A.
What’s Next
Apple’s notice instructs the developer to engage directly with MeitY for clarification. No further government actions or court proceedings have been publicly announced as of the latest reports. The legal debate over applying Section 69A to block an entire application based on its technical capabilities remains unresolved.