India’s Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has condemned a government order directing GitHub to remove repositories for Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app BitChat, calling the move unconstitutional and warning that it threatens free speech and open source software.
THE statement came a day after India’s cybercrime agency ordered GitHub to disable access to three BitChat repositories within three hours, saying the decentralized messaging app could be used to circumvent internet shutdowns, evade legal oversight and facilitate illegal activities.
In its statement published on The group called on the government to withdraw the notice and publish all withdrawal orders issued under this provision.
The organization also challenged the government’s justification, noting that the order did not identify any illegal content in the repositories and instead asserted that the app’s decentralized design, which allows communication via Bluetooth without internet access or centralized servers, was itself grounds for removal.
BitChat is a decentralized messaging application that routes encrypted messages between nearby devices via Bluetooth without relying on internet connectivity or centralized servers.
Since its release in July 2025, the app has gained traction during protests, natural disasters and internet shutdowns, with downloads and adoption increasing during periods of unrest and internet shutdowns in countries including Madagascar, Nepal, Uganda, Jamaica and Iran.
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