Wire · regulatory
Govt Blocking of BitChat's Code on GitHub Unconstitutional and Authoritarian
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Fusion42 · 26 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
India's Home Ministry ordered GitHub to remove BitChat, a Bluetooth messaging app, citing Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act after protesters used it to communicate during internet shutdowns around Jantar Mantar. The Internet Freedom Foundation has challenged the order as unconstitutional, arguing it conflates anticipated misuse with actual illegality and bypasses due process safeguards required under Indian constitutional law.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Cybersecurity, and 6 sources have reported it between 24 Jul 2026 and 26 Jul 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
If you build mesh or censorship-resistant comms tools, India has just signalled takedowns via Section 79(3)(b) without court review or named cause — and the legal challenge is still pending. You now have a three-hour removal deadline and no clear safe harbour, which means a code fork or mirror in a different jurisdiction becomes part of your product strategy.
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6 sources · first reported 24 Jul 2026 · latest 26 Jul 2026
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