The order marks one of the first known instances of govt using the amended IT Rules’ “reasoned intimation” mechanismNEW DELHI: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the home ministry, on Friday directed GitHub to remove repositories hosting Bitchat, a decentralised messaging application that enables peer-to-peer communication over Bluetooth mesh networks without relying on the internet, mobile networks or centralised servers. Bitchat is an app founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.The order marks one of the first known instances of govt using the amended IT Rules' "reasoned intimation" mechanism to target source code hosted on GitHub, instead of seeking the removal of posts, videos or messages on social media platforms. In effect, the action extends the takedown framework to software code, not just online content.Agency cited 'misuse' concernsIn an order issued under the provisions of the IT Act and rules related to intermediary guidelines and digital media ethics code, I4C asked GitHub to disable access to three repositories linked to the application within three hours. In a post on X, Dorsey said, "Govt of India does not like technologies like Bitchat and wants it taken down." According to the order, Bitchat allows anonymous communication between nearby devices using Bluetooth mesh technology without mandatory user registration, phone number verification or centralised logging of communications. I4C said the application's architecture significantly impedes lawful interception, attribution and investigation by law enforcement agencies.The agency argued that because communications occur directly between nearby devices without internet connectivity, the platform could be misused to evade lawful surveillance, facilitate anonymous coordination and circumvent restrictions that are imposed during situations involving public disorder, riots, terrorism, organised crime or when internet shutdowns are in effect."Intelligence inputs indicate that such decentralised communication platforms are capable of being exploited for coordinating unlawful assemblies, violent protests, dissemination of misinformation, radicalisation, criminal conspiracies and other activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India," the order explained.