The Indian government directed GitHub to take down multiple repositories linked to bitchat, an open-source messaging app, on July 23. The order, issued by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Union home ministry, required removal of the main source code, Android repository, and Android releases page within three hours, according to inc42.com.
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey shared the takedown notice on X, highlighting the government's move amid ongoing student protests over an alleged NEET exam paper leak. The home ministry had temporarily suspended mobile internet services near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where protests were taking place, citing public safety and the need to maintain order. The I4C stated that bitchat enables peer-to-peer communication over Bluetooth mesh networks without internet or centralized servers.
The government’s action reflects concerns over bitchat’s ability to facilitate anonymous communication without mandatory registration, phone number verification, or centralized logging. This anonymity complicates lawful interception and investigations, according to the I4C. The takedown aligns with broader efforts to control communication tools that could be used to organize protests or evade surveillance during sensitive events.
The takedown order was issued on July 23, and GitHub was instructed to disable access to the specified repositories within three hours, as per the notification shared by Jack Dorsey on X.