The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has ordered GitHub to remove repositories linked to Bitchat, the offline messaging app created by Jack Dorsey, citing concerns over its use by protesters during recent unrest in Delhi. The app, designed to transmit encrypted messages and bitcoin transactions via Bluetooth mesh networks without internet or centralized servers, conflicts with authorities’ efforts to monitor communications amid widespread demonstrations.
Unregulated Communication Raises Security Concerns
Bitchat’s architecture enables anonymous communication without requiring registration, phone numbers, or central logs, making lawful interception nearly impossible for law enforcement agencies. The Indian government invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to issue a takedown order for three GitHub repositories hosting the app’s open-source code, demanding compliance within three hours. Despite this, Bitchat remained accessible on major app stores, as experts note that open-source software can be mirrored across platforms, complicating enforcement.
Offline Bitcoin Transactions Tested Under Pressure
Launched in July 2025 by Block’s CEO and bitcoin advocate Jack Dorsey, Bitchat was built to relay bitcoin payments offline, passing transaction data device-to-device until reaching a connected phone to broadcast on the network. This design aims to maintain payment capabilities during internet blackouts, disasters, or government-imposed shutdowns, a feature highly valued by bitcoin supporters who prioritize permissionless transactions. The ongoing protests led by the 'Cockroach Janta Party,' a student movement opposing the ruling party, have put Bitchat’s resilience to the test, as protesters rely on mesh-network tools to communicate despite repeated internet disruptions.
