Apple has officially removed the decentralized messaging platform Bitchat from its App Store in India following a direct order from the government. The app, heavily backed by former Twitter chief Jack Dorsey, allows users to communicate without standard internet access by utilizing Bluetooth mesh networking. Its ability to function offline naturally brought it under regulatory scrutiny, and now new downloads have been fully halted in the region.
The government flagged the app for containing illegal content
According to a notice shared by Dorsey, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology requested the takedown under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The government informed the tech company that Bitchat hosted content considered illegal in India, making it necessary to block access for local users.
This directive stops any new iPhone users in the country from downloading the application, and it also removes the TestFlight beta version from testing channels. While the software remains available in other global markets, this move directly impacts its growth in a country that recently saw a huge spike in downloads during internet suspensions.
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People who already have the app installed on their phones might still be able to use the offline Bluetooth messaging features with nearby devices. However, finding a clear resolution between the developers and local authorities seems unlikely in the near future, leaving new users completely locked out.
The removal of Bitchat highlights the ongoing tension between decentralized communication tools and national digital regulations, shaping how offline networks operate worldwide.
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