MeitY orders Bitchat removal from India App Store, Jack Dorsey claims
Synopsis
Jack Dorsey has gone public with an Apple notice confirming that MeitY ordered the removal of his Bitchat app from India's App Store under Section 69A of the IT Act — the same law used to block websites. The move follows a July 2026 GitHub repository takedown and marks India's most direct strike yet at a Bluetooth mesh messaging app designed to bypass internet surveillance entirely.
Key Takeaways
Jack Dorsey claimed on 3 October 2026 that Bitchat was removed from Apple's India App Store on orders from MeitY .
The takedown was issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 , citing content allegedly illegal under Indian law.
Bitchat's TestFlight beta versions and public TestFlight links also ceased functioning in India.
The app remains available in other markets outside India.
In July 2026 , the government had already directed GitHub to remove Bitchat's code repositories over surveillance-evasion concerns.
MeitY had not issued a public statement confirming the order as of publication.
Jack Dorsey on Saturday, 3 October 2026, claimed that his decentralised messaging application Bitchat has been removed from Apple's India App Store following a takedown order issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Dorsey shared a screenshot of an email he said was sent by Apple's App Review team, writing: 'government of India officially removes bitchat from the App Store.'
What the Apple Notice Said
According to the communication shared by Dorsey, Apple informed him that Bitchat would be removed from the India App Store in response to a demand from MeitY, which allegedly flagged the app as containing content deemed illegal under Indian law. Apple's message reportedly stated that all apps distributed through its platform must comply with local legal requirements in every jurisdiction where they are offered.
The notice further specified that while Bitchat would no longer be available on the India App Store, it would remain accessible in other markets chosen by the developer. Notably, Apple's TestFlight beta versions of the app would also cease to be available for testing within India, and public TestFlight links would stop functioning in the country. Developers were reportedly advised to contact MeitY directly for further details on the action.
What Is Bitchat
Bitchat is an offline messaging application that enables peer-to-peer communication through Bluetooth-based mesh networks, operating entirely without internet connectivity or centralised servers. This architecture makes the app difficult to monitor through conventional lawful interception methods, a feature that has drawn scrutiny from Indian authorities.
Government Action Preceded the App Store Removal
This is not the first regulatory move against Bitchat in India. In July 2026, the government directed GitHub to remove repositories hosting Bitchat's code, citing concerns that the platform's decentralised, server-free design could be exploited to evade lawful surveillance and facilitate unlawful activities. The App Store removal now marks a significant escalation, targeting the primary distribution channel for end users rather than developers alone.
This comes amid a broader global debate over governments seeking access to encrypted and peer-to-peer communications, with platforms like Signal, Telegram, and now Bitchat facing varying degrees of regulatory pressure across jurisdictions.
Dorsey's Response and Wider Implications
Dorsey's decision to publicly share the Apple email on X — the social media platform he founded — signals that he intends to make the Indian government's action a matter of public record rather than absorbing it quietly. Critics argue that invoking Section 69A, typically used against specific pieces of content, to block an entire application raises proportionality concerns. The section grants the Centre broad powers to block online content in the interest of national security, sovereignty, and public order.
As of publication, MeitY had not issued a public statement confirming or elaborating on the takedown order. How Dorsey and the Bitchat development team respond — whether through legal challenge or technical workarounds — is likely to define the next chapter of this dispute.
Point of View
In the government's framing, is architectural: a design that routes around surveillance infrastructure. That logic, if applied consistently, could be used against any end-to-end encrypted or peer-to-peer platform. Dorsey's decision to publish the Apple notice publicly, rather than pursue a quiet appeal, transforms this into a geopolitical flashpoint at a time when India's Big Tech regulatory posture is already under global scrutiny. MeitY's silence only amplifies the opacity.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Bitchat removed from India's App Store?
Bitchat was removed from Apple's India App Store following a takedown order from MeitY under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which alleged the app contained content illegal under Indian law. The government has previously expressed concern that the app's design could enable users to evade lawful surveillance.
What is Bitchat and how does it work?
Bitchat is an offline messaging application developed by Jack Dorsey that enables peer-to-peer communication through Bluetooth-based mesh networks, requiring no internet connection or central servers. This decentralised architecture makes conventional lawful interception difficult, which has drawn regulatory attention in India.
What is Section 69A of the IT Act?
Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, grants the Indian government power to block public access to online content or platforms in the interest of national security, sovereignty, public order, or to prevent incitement of cognisable offences. It has previously been used to block websites, apps, and social media accounts.
Has any other action been taken against Bitchat in India before this?
Yes. In July 2026, the Indian government directed GitHub to remove repositories hosting Bitchat's source code, citing fears the platform could be exploited to facilitate unlawful activities and circumvent surveillance. The App Store removal is a further escalation targeting end-user access.
Can Indian users still access Bitchat?
No. According to the Apple notice shared by Dorsey, Bitchat is no longer available on the India App Store, and TestFlight beta links have also ceased functioning within the country. The app remains available in other markets where the developer has chosen to offer it.
