The offline messaging apps challenging internet shutdowns

Governments facing internet shutdowns to suppress protesters have encountered difficulty in blocking offline messaging apps. A recent example is India's response to Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app, which allows nearby phones to communicate via Bluetooth even without mobile networks or internet access. Launched by the Twitter co-founder in 2025, Bitchat saw its largest real-world test last month when authorities cut internet access during student protests in New Delhi.

The Indian government attempted to block access to Bitchat's source code on GitHub, a Microsoft-owned platform for developers. While governments have previously blocked apps from official app stores, this marks the first known attempt to geoblock an open-source software repository. Digital rights advocates warn that this marks a new phase in governments' efforts to control communication during political crises.

Apps that function without the internet make such measures less effective, as they lack a central server or database. Bitchat reached 430,000 daily active users in India on July 26, with 74% of global downloads coming from India between July 20 and July 26. The app gained popularity during protests in Myanmar, Nepal, Uganda, Madagascar, and Iran, and topped Apple's App Store in Jamaica during a hurricane-induced power outage.

India's response went beyond targeting the app itself, directing GitHub to disable access to three Bitchat repositories in India within three hours. Digital rights advocate Namrata Maheshwari argues that blocking an entire platform is disproportionate, as reliable connectivity during unrest allows people to communicate with family, document events, access emergency services, and avoid misinformation.

The government's order may have inadvertently boosted Bitchat's visibility, leading to its wider adoption.