Indian authorities have ordered GitHub to take down the repository for Bitchat, the Bitcoin-linked encrypted messaging app founded by Jack Dorsey, amid the country's ongoing civil unrest. The move adds a high-profile name to a growing list of tech platforms caught in India's regulatory crosshairs.
The takedown request
GitHub, the Microsoft-owned code-hosting platform, received an order from Indian authorities to remove the repository for Bitchat. The app, which combines end-to-end encryption with Bitcoin micropayments, has been available as open-source software on GitHub. It's not clear if the platform has complied with the request as of Friday.
Why the app drew attention
Bitchat positions itself as a censorship-resistant communication tool. Users can send encrypted messages and tip each other in bitcoin. That mix — strong privacy plus a built-in cryptocurrency — makes it a natural target for governments worried about encrypted coordination during unrest. Jack Dorsey, the former Twitter CEO, has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin and decentralized communication. India's order is the first known government action against his app.
What happens next
The order puts GitHub in a familiar bind. The company has faced previous takedown demands from governments around the world, and its policies generally require it to respect local law. But removing open-source code can trigger pushback from developers who rely on the platform for free expression. For now, Bitchat's repository status remains uncertain. Dorsey has not commented publicly on the order.
