The Indian government directed GitHub on July 23, 2026 to block access to three repositories of Bitchat, Jack Dorsey’s offline messaging app, within three hours, amid protests in Delhi.
Business Today, citing Moneycontrol, reported that the order came from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and used Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. Rest of World said on August 6 that the repositories were still accessible in India. Details are based on Rest of World.
The Bitchat order at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Order date | July 23, 2026 |
| Reported issuer | Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre |
| Target | Three Bitchat repositories on GitHub |
| Deadline | Three hours |
| Reported legal basis | Section 79(3)(b) IT Act, Rule 3(1)(d) IT Rules 2021 |
| Status on August 6 | Still accessible in India, and mirrored elsewhere |
Why Bitchat worried the government
Bitchat uses Bluetooth mesh networking, so nearby phones can pass messages with no internet or mobile network. Protesters turned to it when authorities shut down mobile internet in parts of central Delhi. The order said the app “significantly impedes lawful interception, attribution, and investigation by law enforcement agencies.”
Dorsey shared the order on X, saying the government “does not like technologies like Bitchat and wants it taken down.” Access Now called the block neither necessary nor proportionate. The attention appears to have helped the app: Sensor Tower data showed a record 4.3 lakh daily active users in India on July 26, Rest of World reported.
Why it matters for mobile shops
During a network shutdown, customers often come to shops believing their phone or SIM is faulty. Explain that a shutdown affects everyone in the area. Be careful about installing apps from outside official stores for customers, particularly during a dispute involving the authorities.
Correction (November 1, 2026): An earlier version mentioned over 80 shutdowns. We could not verify that figure.
