Jack Dorsey’s offline messaging app Bitchat becomes largely unavailable on India’s app stores after Apple removes it, following a government demand. Tech outlets report the app is removed or no longer available in India, limiting access for users in the country.
NDTV and The Economic Times say Apple cites instructions connected to India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). In one report, Apple refers to a takedown demand made under Section 69A of India’s IT Act. NDTV also reports that Dorsey posts on social media, stating the “Government of India” removes Bitchat from the App Store and sharing a screenshot that appears to be an Apple App Review notice.
Across the sources, the core point is consistent: the removal follows a request from Indian authorities under a legal provision associated with content or information blocking. While the outlets differ slightly in wording—some emphasize Apple’s cited reason, others focus on Dorsey’s account—the reports converge on the same sequence: government demand, Apple delisting, and reduced availability in India.
