Woofun AI reports that the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has formally condemned an Indian government directive mandating GitHub to remove repositories associated with Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging application, BitChat. The organization characterizes the takedown order as unconstitutional, warning that such actions pose a significant threat to free speech principles and the integrity of open-source software ecosystems.

The escalation occurred rapidly after India’s cybercrime agency issued an ultimatum to GitHub, demanding the disabling of access to three specific BitChat repositories within a strict three-hour window. Authorities justified this aggressive timeline by alleging the application could be utilized to bypass internet shutdowns, evade lawful surveillance mechanisms, and facilitate unlawful activities. This directive was issued on Friday under Section 79(3)(b) of India’s Information Technology Act, a provision the IFF argues was misapplied in this context.

Structurally, the IFF contends that the order circumvented the country’s formal website-blocking process, which is designed to include essential procedural safeguards. Per Woofun AI, the foundation called for the immediate withdrawal of the notice and the publication of all takedown orders issued under this specific legal provision.

Furthermore, the organization disputed the government’s technical justification, noting that no specific unlawful content was identified within the repositories; instead, the removal targeted the app’s decentralized design, which enables communication via Bluetooth without requiring internet access or centralized servers.

BitChat operates by routing encrypted messages between nearby devices over Bluetooth, functioning independently of internet connectivity or centralized infrastructure. Since its release in July 2025, the application has seen adoption surge during periods of unrest, natural disasters, and internet shutdowns in nations including Madagascar, Nepal, Uganda, Jamaica, and Iran. This pattern of usage during crises highlights the tension between state control and decentralized communication tools.