Apple Removes BitChat From India App Store Following MeitY Order; Jack Dorsey Reacts
Apple has removed the decentralised offline messaging application BitChat from its India App Store following a direct takedown demand issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The removal of the application, which is backed by tech entrepreneur Jack Dorsey, marks the latest regulatory restriction on decentralised communication tools in the country.
Takedown Order and Scope of Removal
The action was executed under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, a legal provision that empowers the central government to block public access to digital information. CERT-In Issues High-Severity Apple Security Alert: iPhone, iPad and Mac Users Must Update.
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According to notices shared regarding the development, the application has been made unavailable specifically within the Indian region, while remaining operational in other international App Store territories. Additionally, internal and public TestFlight builds for the app have been disabled in India. Specific details regarding the precise content or legal violations cited in the government's direct directive have not been publicly detailed in Apple's notification to developers. The news was confirmed by Jack Dorsey, who posted a screenshot of Apple's App Review notice on X (formerly Twitter), saying the Indian government had officially removed BitChat from the App Store
Background on BitChat and Regulatory Scrutiny
BitChat has drawn attention for its architectural design, which allows users to exchange messages via a Bluetooth mesh network without depending on conventional mobile data, Wi-Fi infrastructure, phone numbers, or email addresses. By allowing devices to relay messages locally, the application can sustain communication during internet blackouts or restrictions. Apple Pay Arrives in India: From Croma to Zomato, Complete List of Merchants and Platforms Supporting the Service.
The application previously faced scrutiny earlier in the year. In July, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) - operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs - directed platforms like GitHub to restrict access to repositories hosting BitChat source code. Authorities had raised security concerns that decentralised messaging mechanisms could hinder lawful interception and investigation by law enforcement, particularly during periods of civil unrest or restricted connectivity. With the latest directive executed via Apple, regulatory oversight on offline and alternative communication networks in India has tightened further.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2026 08:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).