Indian Govt Ordered To Ban Bluetooth-Based Bitchat Amid Jantar Mantar Protest, Leaked Notice Reveals
New Delhi: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), has reportedly directed Microsoft subsidiary GitHub on July 23, 2026, to remove repositories hosting BitChat. The Cyber crime body, which is working under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ordered to ban the Bluetooth mesh messaging application developed by X (formerly Twitter) co-founder Jack Dorsey.
The government has cited security reasons for the move, including that argument that the app could be exploited to coordinate unlawful assemblies and circumvent lawful restrictions imposed by competent authorities during situations involving public order. The protesters could reportedly use the app to bypass internet shutdowns and hamper law enforcement
Dorsy leaked the notice issued by the union government in a social media post on X. The notice is seen directing the company to remove or disable access to three repositories hosting Bitchat, saying the app could be used to bypass internet shutdowns, evade lawful interception and help coordinate unlawful assemblies during public-order situations.
Read Also: ADCP Sandeep Lamba Removed From Protest Duty Day After Video Showed Him Slapping Female Protester
Post from former Twitter CEO. Government of India wants to ban a software called bitchat which allows communication over Bluetooth (by establishing a mesh network) and hence enabling communication even if mobile communications are brought down. Bitchat enables exchange of… https://t.co/4elMyP1EEj
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) July 24, 2026
