NEW DELHI: The Union government’s cybercrime coordination centre has directed Microsoft-owned GitHub to remove Bitchat, a Bluetooth-based messaging application developed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, citing concerns that it could be misused by terrorists, organised crime groups and anti-national elements to evade lawful surveillance.The notice comes after authorities observed several participants in the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar using Bluetooth-based messaging applications after temporary internet restrictions were imposed around the protest site.Sharing a copy of the July 23 notice on X on Friday, Dorsey claimed, “The Government of India does not like technologies like Bitchat and wants it taken down.”The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), which functions under the Union home ministry, has not immediately responded to queries regarding the notice, according to news agency PTI.
Govt flags anonymous, offline messaging as security risk
In its notice to GitHub, I4C said Bitchat is among a number of applications capable of enabling decentralised peer-to-peer messaging over Bluetooth mesh networks without relying on mobile networks, internet connectivity or centralised servers.According to the notice, the application allows anonymous communication without mandatory user registration, phone number verification or centralised logging of messages.“The technical architecture of the application significantly impedes lawful interception, attribution and investigation by law enforcement agencies,” the notice said.The agency argued that because messages are transmitted directly between nearby devices through a decentralised mesh network, such platforms could be used to evade lawful surveillance, facilitate anonymous coordination and bypass internet restrictions imposed during situations involving public disorder, riots, terrorism, organised crime or internet shutdowns.“Intelligence inputs indicate that such decentralised communication platforms are capable of being exploited for coordinating unlawful assemblies, violent protests, dissemination of misinformation, radicalisation, criminal conspiracies, and other activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, public order, and for facilitating the commission of cognizable offences,” the notice stated.It further said the absence of a centralised service provider limits the ability of law enforcement agencies to obtain subscriber information, communication records or timely assistance during investigations.“The application’s design, which enables communication even during network restrictions, creates a substantial risk of misuse by anti-national elements, terrorist organisations, organised criminal groups, and cybercriminals seeking to evade lawful detection and continue communication despite legally imposed restrictions,” the notice added.I4C has alleged that the app violates Sections 43, 84B and 84C of the Information Technology Act, along with Section 61 read with Sections 196 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Notice follows use of offline messaging apps during Delhi protests
The CJP has been leading protests over the NEET paper leak and is demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Earlier on Friday, representatives of the CJP held a nearly two-hour meeting with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh.Following the meeting, the outfit reiterated that Pradhan’s resignation remained a “non-negotiable” demand and also sought Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide after the cancellation of the NEET examination, along with the withdrawal of FIRs against protesters.Union health minister JP Nadda said the CJP delegation had presented three key demands and five suggestions for examination reforms, and the government would respond after internal discussions.Another round of talks between the two sides is scheduled for Saturday.
