Bitchat, Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app designed to work without an internet connection, has disappeared from Apple and Google’s app stores in India after New Delhi ordered restrictions.
Dorsey said the Indian government ordered Apple to remove Bitchat under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. Apple’s notice said the app would remain available outside India but TestFlight beta access would also be blocked in the country.
Bitchat was also unavailable on Google Play in India and its website was inaccessible across various ISPs when TechCrunch checked.
Launched in July 2025, Bitchat uses Bluetooth mesh networking for encrypted messages without cellular networks, internet access, or centralized servers.
In July 2026, Indian authorities ordered GitHub to take down repositories associated with Bitchat, citing difficulty for law enforcement to intercept communications and the app’s ability to operate during internet shutdowns.
The Internet Freedom Foundation called the latest order unconstitutional, arguing Section 69A allows blocking unlawful information but not a messaging app for operating during shutdowns, and that neither the order nor cited illegal content had been made public.
Restrictions come amid youth-led protests over voter roll changes in India. During July protests, demonstrators reportedly turned to Bitchat and Briar after internet suspensions. India accounted for about 85% of Bitchat’s global downloads between July 17-23, 2026, up from roughly 1% in the prior 30 days per Sensor Tower.