BitChat Scandal: India’s GitHub Crackdown Raises Civil Liberties Concerns for Crypto Community

India’s digital rights advocates have condemned the government’s order to GitHub to remove Jack Dorsey’s BitChat repositories, calling it 'unconstitutional'. The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) argues the move exceeds the government’s legal authority under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act and threatens free speech and open-source software. BitChat is a decentralized messaging app that enables encrypted communication over Bluetooth without internet or centralized servers. The app has gained traction during protests, natural disasters, and internet shutdowns. The government’s action has sparked concerns over digital freedoms and the security of crypto communities.