India ordered GitHub to disable access to three repositories of Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app BitChat within three hours, citing risks of surveillance evasion and circumvention of internet shutdowns. The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) condemned the decision as unconstitutional, arguing the order exceeds the government’s legal authority since it was issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act rather than through the official website-blocking procedure. The IFF also disputed the government’s justification, noting the order targeted the app’s very design rather than any specific unlawful content, as BitChat routes encrypted messages over Bluetooth without internet connectivity or centralized servers. Released in July 2025, BitChat has seen growing adoption during protests, natural disasters and internet shutdowns in several countries, including Madagascar, Nepal, Uganda, Jamaica and Iran.
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