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Apple Removes Bitchat From India App Store After Order

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 4:09 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Apple Removes Bitchat

Apple removed Bitchat from India’s App Store after a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology demand.
The Ministry issued the takedown under Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Apple said Bitchat contains illegal content, breaches App Review Guidelines, and disabled its TestFlight version in India.
Bitchat stays available elsewhere, though July’s Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre ordered GitHub to remove it for anti-national misuse risk.

Summary

Delhi Protesters Use Mesh

Protesters in Delhi used Bitchat’s Bluetooth-mesh app to stay in touch during July 2026 internet blocks.
The mesh lets each device relay messages, extending communication far beyond a single Bluetooth range.
Officials say the decentralized design hinders lawful interception, complicating investigations of criminal or terrorist groups.
Human-rights groups warn that restricting the App Store sets a precedent that could curb emergency coordination.

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Apple Removes Bitchat

Apple removed Bitchat from India’s App Store after a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology demand.
The Ministry issued the takedown under Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Apple said Bitchat contains illegal content, breaches App Review Guidelines, and disabled its TestFlight version in India.
Bitchat stays available elsewhere, though July’s Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre ordered GitHub to remove it for anti-national misuse risk.

1 / 2