The Indian Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has condemned the government’s order directing GitHub to remove the repositories of Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app BitChat, calling the move unconstitutional and warning that it threatens free speech and open source software.
The statement it came a day after India’s cybercrime agency ordered GitHub to block access to three BitChat repositories within three hours, saying the decentralized messaging app could be used to bypass internet shutdowns, evade lawful surveillance and facilitate illicit activities.
In its statement published on Friday in X, IFF argued that the order exceeded the government’s powers as it was issued under Section 79(1). 3 letter b) India’s Information Technology Act and not under the country’s formal website blocking process, which includes procedural safeguards. The group called on the government to withdraw the notification and publish all removal orders issued under this provision.
The organization also disputes the government’s justification, noting that the order did not identify any unlawful content in the repositories and instead argued that the app’s decentralized design, which allows communication via Bluetooth without access to the Internet or centralized servers, is itself grounds for removal.
BitChat is a decentralized messaging application that sends encrypted messages between nearby devices via Bluetooth without relying on an internet connection or centralized servers.
Since its launch in July 2025, the app has gained popularity during protests, natural disasters and internet blackouts, with downloads and uses skyrocketing during periods of unrest and internet blackouts in countries including Madagascar, Nepal, Uganda, Jamaica and Iran.
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