The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has reportedly instructed GitHub to remove access to Jack Dorsey's open-source messaging application, Bitchat. The government's directive stems from significant concerns that the app's unique offline capabilities could be exploited to circumvent communication restrictions during public order situations and protests.
What is Bitchat and Why is it a Concern?
Unlike conventional messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or Telegram, Bitchat operates without requiring internet access, mobile networks, or central servers. Its core functionality relies on Bluetooth mesh networking, allowing nearby devices to communicate directly with each other. This decentralized, offline nature is precisely what has drawn the scrutiny of Indian authorities.
According to the I4C, this technology could be misused to bypass government-imposed internet shutdowns, making it challenging for law enforcement to monitor communications, identify users, or track the coordination of potentially unlawful gatherings. The order explicitly states that such platforms "significantly impedes lawful interception, attribution, and investigation by law enforcement agencies."
Government's Stance and Legal Basis
The government believes that Bitchat's design makes it capable of being exploited for a range of activities deemed prejudicial to national security and public order. These include coordinating unlawful assemblies, violent protests, disseminating misinformation, radicalization, and criminal conspiracies. The order, which was shared publicly by Jack Dorsey, cites Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021, as the legal basis for directing GitHub to block public access to three Bitchat code repositories within a strict three-hour deadline.
Dorsey commented on the situation, stating, "The government of India does not like technologies like Bitchat and wants it taken down."
Context Amidst Protests
This directive arrives amidst ongoing significant protests in Delhi, led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). During these demonstrations, authorities had previously ordered temporary mobile internet shutdowns in parts of central Delhi as a measure to maintain public order. The timing suggests a heightened sensitivity towards communication tools that could potentially undermine such state-imposed restrictions.