India Orders GitHub to Remove Bitchat App Over Security Concerns

Key facts

• The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered GitHub, a Microsoft subsidiary, to remove the Bluetooth-based messaging app Bitchat.
• The app enables peer-to-peer communication over Bluetooth mesh networks without relying on mobile networks or the internet, allowing anonymous use without registration or phone number verification.
• I4C stated that the app's architecture impedes lawful interception and can be misused by anti-national elements, terrorist organisations, and criminal groups to evade surveillance.
• The order followed observations of protestors using Bluetooth-based messaging apps at Jantar Mantar after the government imposed temporary internet restrictions at the site.
• The notice cited violations of Sections 43, 84B, and 84C of the Information Technology Act, along with Section 61 read with 196 and 197 of other laws.