India Orders GitHub to Remove Bitchat App Over Offline Messaging Concerns
India has ordered GitHub to remove the Bitchat app developed by Jack Dorsey due to concerns over anonymous offline Bluetooth messaging. The app, which works on an encrypted Bluetooth mesh networking system, allows users to send encrypted messages without an internet connection.
The Indian government cited the difficulty in intercepting and investigating messages sent through the app, as it does not require registration, telephone numbers, or logs from users. Bitchat also enables offline Bitcoin transactions using Bluetooth mesh technology, which regulators claim makes traditional monitoring frameworks difficult to use.
The decision follows internet shutdowns imposed by the government near protest areas in New Delhi after student-led protests initiated on July 20. Protesters resorted to using Bluetooth mesh network applications like Bitchat due to connectivity issues.