Jack Dorsey's Bitchat disappears from app stores in India after government order
News Source
•Sat, 03 Oct 2026 15:02:01 +0000
📰 What Happened
Jack Dorsey's messaging app Bitchat has vanished from app stores in India. Dorsey says the government ordered Apple to remove it. The order came under a law that lets India block online content.
Bitchat was also gone from Google Play, and its website would not load. His exit has started a new debate about AI safety.
🔍 The Backstory
Bitchat uses Bluetooth to send encrypted messages between nearby phones. It works without internet or phone networks. It launched in July last year.
In July 2026, Dorsey said India had ordered GitHub to remove Bitchat's code. This is not the first time the app has faced a block in the country. The public is still unsure how AI risks should be handled.
🎯 Why It Matters
It shows how far governments will go to control apps and messages. It also tests how much free speech people have online.
Jack Dorsey's messaging app Bitchat has vanished from app stores in India. Dorsey says the government ordered Apple to remove it. The order came under a law that lets India block online content.
Bitchat was also gone from Google Play, and its website would not load. His exit has started a new debate about AI safety.
Bitchat uses Bluetooth to send encrypted messages between nearby phones. It works without internet or phone networks. It launched in July last year.
In July 2026, Dorsey said India had ordered GitHub to remove Bitchat's code. This is not the first time the app has faced a block in the country. The public is still unsure how AI risks should be handled.
It shows how far governments will go to control apps and messages. It also tests how much free speech people have online.