India vs. Bitchat: Can Open Source Be Restricted?

I’d like to share news from the tech and open-source space.

According to TechCrunch, Indian authorities have asked GitHub to restrict three Bitchat repositories — the offline messenger created by Jack Dorsey.

The reason cited is its decentralized Bluetooth-based architecture: officials argue it could help users bypass internet restrictions and make communications harder to monitor.

Notably, the request does not point to any specific unlawful posts or messages — the project and its code are under scrutiny.

As internet shutdowns in India continue, interest in Bitchat has surged, while human rights advocates warn of risks to openness and privacy.

Why this matters: this precedent could reshape how open source is regulated.

Do you think code itself can be restricted because of how it works?
#OpenSource #Cybersecurity #India #TechPolicy