Apple Removes Bitchat in India; Jack Dorsey Reacts to Takedown
Apple has taken down Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app from the India App Store after a government order under the IT Act.
In a significant move affecting decentralized communication, Apple has removed Bitchat from its App Store in India. The decision follows a formal demand from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), marking a major setback for the messaging application associated with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.
Jack Dorsey Confirms the Removal
Jack Dorsey took to the social media platform X on Saturday to confirm the development. Sharing a screenshot of the official notice from Apple, Dorsey stated that the "government of India officially removes bitchat from the App Store." The move highlights increasing regulatory scrutiny over decentralized technologies operating within the country.
Legal Grounds for the Takedown
According to the notice shared by Dorsey, the removal was executed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Apple’s communication indicated that the application was removed because it contained content deemed illegal in India and failed to comply with the company's specific App Review Guidelines.
Despite the legal citation, the official notice did not specify the exact nature of the illegal content or the precise grounds cited by MeitY. Apple has directed the app's developers to coordinate directly with the ministry for further clarification regarding the decision.
What is Bitchat?
Bitchat is a decentralized, offline messaging application designed to facilitate communication without the need for cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or traditional phone numbers. Its core functionality relies on a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network.
- Mesh Networking: When two users are within Bluetooth range, their devices communicate directly. Messages can then be relayed through a chain of nearby devices, extending the communication range beyond a single connection.
- No Internet Required: The app's defining feature is its ability to function in offline mode without internet connectivity.
- Privacy and Protocol: Bitchat supports encrypted private messaging and does not require conventional user accounts. When internet is available, it can utilize the decentralized Nostr protocol.
Regulatory Concerns and Internet Shutdowns
The application had already been under the radar of Indian authorities. In July, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) had previously sought restrictions on Bitchat's GitHub repositories. The primary concern raised by authorities was that the app's architecture could make lawful interception and attribution significantly more difficult.
Furthermore, regulators expressed concerns that the app's ability to function via mesh networks could allow communication to persist even during government-mandated internet shutdowns, posing a challenge to regulatory oversight.
Availability Status
While Bitchat has been stripped from the India App Store, Apple clarified that the application remains available in other territories selected by its developer. Additionally, the company noted that the TestFlight version of the application will no longer function for testing purposes within India.