Apple, Google remove Bitchat in India on govt order: Those determined to bypass it will, the ordinary user gets locked out

According to a report by Alt News, the offline messaging application Bitchat has been removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in India. The removal follows directives issued by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to major platform operators. In addition to the removal from mobile marketplaces, users have reported that the application's official website is currently inaccessible across multiple Indian internet service providers.

Bitchat, which was developed by a team including Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, gained attention for its focus on offline, decentralized communication. While the specific legal grounds for the government's blocking order have not been publicly detailed, the move is consistent with recent regulatory actions taken by Indian authorities regarding messaging platforms that operate outside of conventional oversight frameworks.

Industry analysts suggest that while determined users may attempt to circumvent these blocks using virtual private networks or alternative distribution channels, the removal from primary app stores effectively limits the application's reach to the general public. As of this writing, neither Apple nor Google has issued a formal statement regarding the specific compliance request, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has not provided further clarification on the duration or scope of the ban.