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The digital rights group says India\u2019s order to remove Jack Dorsey\u2019s BitChat repositories from GitHub exceeds the government\u2019s legal authority and threatens free speech. <\/p>\n
India\u2019s Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has condemned a government order directing GitHub to remove repositories for Jack Dorsey\u2019s decentralized messaging app<\/a> BitChat, calling the move unconstitutional and warning it threatens free speech and open-source software.<\/p>\n The statement<\/a> came a day after India\u2019s cybercrime agency ordered GitHub to disable access to three BitChat repositories within three hours, saying the decentralized messaging app could be used to bypass internet shutdowns, evade lawful surveillance and facilitate unlawful activities.<\/p>\n In its statement posted on X on Friday, IFF argued the order exceeded the government\u2019s legal authority because it was issued under Section 79(3)(b) of India\u2019s Information Technology<\/a> Act instead of the country\u2019s formal website-blocking process, which includes procedural safeguards. The group called on the government to withdraw the notice and publish all takedown orders issued under the provision.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n<\/p>\n If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you want to read more News<\/a> articles, you can visit our General category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n