The Bitchat app, which is somewhat linked to Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, was removed from the Apple Store following a request from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India (MeitY). This action was taken after a notification from MeitY under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Details of the App Removal
Jack Dorsey announced on Saturday by sharing an image of Apple's notification on the social network X that "the Government of India has officially removed Bitchat from the Apple Store." According to Apple, this app was removed due to the presence of illegal content in India and non-compliance with the company's app review guidelines. However, Apple's notification did not specifically mention the type of illegal content, and the specific reason provided by MeitY remains unclear. Apple has advised the app developer to contact the relevant ministry for more information.
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Unique Features of Bitchat
Bitchat is a decentralized offline messaging app that allows users to communicate without the need for mobile networks, Wi-Fi, phone numbers, or a central server. The main feature of this app is the use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, which enables users to connect their phones directly to each other when they are in close proximity. Messages can be transferred from one device to another, creating a chain of communications that extends beyond the normal range of a Bluetooth connection.
The Bitchat system is particularly notable for its lack of requirement for an internet connection for offline messaging. This app also supports encrypted private messaging and does not require an account or phone number registration. Currently, the app's description in the Apple Store states that it can also use the decentralized Nostr protocol when an internet connection is available.
This app had previously caught the attention of regulatory authorities in India. In July, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) issued a notice calling for restrictions on Bitchat's GitHub repositories, expressing concerns that the architecture of this app could hinder legal eavesdropping and identity identification, as well as allow communications to continue during internet outages.
Apple has announced that Bitchat has been removed from the Apple Store in India, while it will still be available in other selected regions by its developer. Additionally, the TestFlight version of this app will no longer work for testing in India.
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