Central crackdown intensifies, BitChat yanked amid CJP agitation
New Delhi, July 24: The central government on Friday directed GitHub to remove the Bluetooth-based messaging application ‘Bitchat’. BitChat was used in protests by the Janata Party (CJP) during the suspension of internet services in parts of New Delhi.
Jack Dorsey, developer of BitChat and co-founder of X (formerly Twitter), posted on X claiming that the Indian government does not approve of technologies like BitChat and wants it removed. He also shared a copy of the order from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Apps like BitChat facilitate communication via Bluetooth during network restrictions. The order states that this could increase the risk of anti-national elements, terrorist organizations, organized crime groups, and cybercriminals maintaining contact while evading legal oversight. Therefore, in view of national security and law and order, instructions have been given to remove the app.
