India Removes Bitchat From Apple App Store Following Government Request

Bitchat messaging app removed from India’s Apple App Store following a government request, according to Jack Dorsey

India has requested the removal of Bitchat from Apple’s App Store, according to Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, after the Bluetooth-based messaging app drew government scrutiny following its use during nationwide Gen Z-led protests earlier this year.

The development was reported by Coin Bureau in a post on X. Bitchat allows users to communicate directly over Bluetooth without requiring an internet connection, a feature that has attracted attention as authorities have examined the platform’s use during periods of protest activity.

Bitchat Faces Government Action in India

The latest action follows earlier efforts by Indian authorities targeting Bitchat’s availability and development infrastructure.

According to the information shared by Coin Bureau, India targeted Bitchat’s GitHub repositories in July. The government also reportedly ordered Google to remove the application from its Play Store, alongside Briar and Bridgefy.

Bitchat’s removal from Apple’s App Store would further restrict access to the application through major mobile distribution platforms in India. The reported action comes after the app gained popularity during nationwide protests led by members of Gen Z earlier this year.

Bluetooth Messaging Draws Scrutiny

Unlike conventional messaging services that rely on internet connectivity, Bitchat is designed to enable communication through Bluetooth. That allows users to exchange messages without depending on a cellular or Wi-Fi internet connection.

The technology has particular relevance in situations where internet access is unavailable or disrupted. Bitchat’s use during the protests brought greater attention to the application and its decentralized communication capabilities, according to the information cited by Coin Bureau.

The reported government action against Bitchat follows a broader pattern of restrictions involving communication applications that can operate without conventional internet infrastructure. Briar and Bridgefy were also reportedly targeted in India's earlier action involving Google’s Play Store.

Apple App Store Removal Follows Earlier Restrictions

The reported removal from Apple’s platform represents another step in the restrictions facing Bitchat in India. Jack Dorsey, who co-founded Twitter, said the application had been removed from the country’s Apple App Store at the government’s request.

The sequence of actions began with scrutiny of Bitchat’s GitHub repositories in July, followed by the reported Play Store order and now the removal from Apple’s App Store. The developments leave the application facing restrictions across both major mobile app distribution platforms in India.

Coin Bureau’s report did not provide further details on the government’s specific rationale for the Apple request beyond the scrutiny surrounding Bitchat’s use during the protests. The extent to which the app remains accessible through other distribution methods was also not specified in the post.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.

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