India’s cybercrime agency directed GitHub to block three BitChat repositories, citing risks of unlawful activity and surveillance evasion.
India’s cybercrime agency ordered GitHub to remove three repositories for BitChat, a decentralized messaging app, within three hours. Authorities claimed the app could bypass internet shutdowns and facilitate unlawful activities, raising concerns over surveillance evasion.
The Internet Freedom Foundation condemned the move as unconstitutional, warning it threatens free speech and open-source software. BitChat, launched in July 2025, routes encrypted messages via Bluetooth without internet or centralized servers, gaining traction during internet outages in countries like Iran and Uganda.
Separately, India’s tax authority mandated crypto exchanges report all transactions to the Income Tax department, tightening oversight on digital asset platforms.