The Kerala High Court has directed the Indian government to respond within four weeks to a petition challenging the blocking of BitChat, a social media app, according to medianama.com. The petition was filed by the Kerala-based Appropriate Technology Promotion Society and argues that the blocking violates rights to equality, freedom of speech, and procedural fairness. The government had blocked BitChat from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and ordered ISPs to block its website earlier this month.
The petition claims that authorities did not follow the procedure under the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009. It seeks disclosure of the blocking order and its quashing. SFLC.in highlighted that the developers were not heard or served with the block, and commended Apple for notifying BitChat about the ban despite confidentiality requirements under Section 69A. The Kerala High Court’s order was shared by SFLC.in on X (formerly Twitter).
The case raises important questions about digital rights and government transparency in content regulation. BitChat’s blocking follows a trend of app bans in India, where procedural safeguards are often contested. The petition’s focus on fundamental rights and procedural fairness highlights ongoing debates on freedom of expression online and the legal framework governing internet censorship in India. The government’s response will be closely watched by digital rights advocates and legal experts.
The Kerala High Court has set a four-week deadline for the government’s reply, marking a key moment in the legal challenge against BitChat’s blocking. The petition was filed by the Appropriate Technology Promotion Society, and the court’s order was reported on October 15, 2026, by medianama.com.