Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey recently drew attention to the Indian government’s move to ban Bitchat, a Bluetooth-based messaging app that has gained popularity among demonstrators. As protests regarding NEET examination paper leaks continue to intensify across the country, authorities have frequently resorted to internet shutdowns and network jamming to manage crowds in New Delhi. The government’s order, shared by Dorsey, claims that Bitchat facilitates "unlawful acts" by allowing anonymous communication without the need for internet access, phone registration, or centralized data logging, which complicates law enforcement's ability to intercept or monitor activities.

The decision has sparked significant backlash from digital rights advocates, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, which criticized the heavy-handed approach to limiting public communication. With mobile internet services being suspended repeatedly near protest hubs like Jantar Mantar and recent restrictions on Delhi Metro access, the government appears focused on curbing the coordination of large-scale demonstrations. By targeting decentralized tools like Bitchat, authorities aim to prevent protesters from bypassing traditional surveillance, though critics argue these measures infringe upon the right to assembly and digital privacy during periods of civil unrest.