Indian authorities have ordered the removal of Bitchat, a Bluetooth-based messaging application linked to Block founder Jack Dorsey, citing its use by demonstrators to circumvent internet restrictions in the capital. The directive, issued under the country's Information Technology Act, targets the app's availability on major distribution platforms and marks an escalation in the government's approach to decentralized communication tools.

Bitchat operates on a peer-to-peer mesh architecture that relays encrypted messages and bitcoin transactions between nearby devices without requiring cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. The technology, originally developed for environments with limited infrastructure, has drawn attention for its potential to facilitate communication during network disruptions. According to technical documentation, the app uses Bitcoin's Lightning Network for optional micropayments between nodes that forward data.

The takedown order follows reports that participants in recent demonstrations organized under the banner "Cockroach Janta Party" utilized mesh networking applications to coordinate movements while mobile internet services were suspended in parts of Delhi. Internet shutdowns have become a recurring tactic by Indian authorities during periods of civil unrest, with the country leading global rankings for such restrictions in recent years.

Officials have not publicly detailed the specific legal provisions invoked beyond referencing national security concerns. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology typically issues such directives under Section 69A of the IT Act, which permits blocking access to information deemed threatening to sovereignty, defense, or public order. Platform operators generally comply within prescribed timelines to avoid penalties.

Block, the payments company formerly known as Square, has not issued a formal statement regarding the order. Dorsey, who stepped down as CEO in 2021 but remains a prominent advocate for decentralized protocols, has previously described mesh networking as critical infrastructure for resisting censorship. The company's TBD division, focused on decentralized identity and financial tools, has explored similar peer-to-peer architectures.