GitHub · India · X · Hong Kong · Rest of World
The offline messaging apps challenging internet shutdowns
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Governments that deploy internet shutdowns to thwart protesters have struggled to clamp down on offline messaging apps.
Key facts
- Bitchat reached an all-time high of 430,000 daily active users in India on July 26, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower
- During Hong Kong’s 2014 protests, FireChat became a popular way for demonstrators to communicate without mobile networks
- On July 23, the government directed GitHub to disable access to three Bitchat repositories in India within three hours
- Bitchat, launched by the Twitter co-founder in 2025, allows nearby phones to communicate over Bluetooth even when mobile networks or internet access are unavailable
Summary
Bitchat, launched by the Twitter co-founder in 2025, allows nearby phones to communicate over Bluetooth even when mobile networks or internet access are unavailable. As protesters turned to Bitchat, the Indian government tried to block access to the app’s source. Across the globe, state-enforced internet blackouts have become a primary weapon against protests and independent journalism during political crises. Apps built to function without the internet make those tactics less effective.