Apple removes offline messaging app BitChat from Indian App Store

Apple has removed BitChat, an offline messaging application, from its Indian App Store at the request of India's Ministry of Information Technology. The action was taken under Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act, which grants the government authority to block digital content deemed harmful to national security or public order.

The development was disclosed by Jack Dorsey, former Twitter CEO, who posted details of the removal on X platform. According to reports, the ministry's directive specifically targeted the application's ability to function without an active internet connection, a feature that distinguished it from mainstream messaging services.

Beyond removing the application from the Indian store, Apple will also discontinue BitChat's TestFlight version in India. TestFlight, Apple's beta testing platform, allows select users early access to applications under development. The ban appears limited to Indian users, with the application remaining available in other countries through the App Store.

The action reflects ongoing government efforts to regulate digital platforms and communications tools operating within Indian borders. While authorities have not publicly detailed specific concerns about BitChat, the regulatory action suggests concerns about applications that could operate outside traditional connectivity frameworks or oversight mechanisms.