According to a recent X post by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, Apple has taken down Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app, from the China App Store following a request from the Cyberspace Administration of China. The authorities claimed the app failed to meet the necessary security assessment requirements prior to its launch, as outlined in regulations for online services with the potential to shape public opinion or mobilize social movements. As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that both the app's listing and its TestFlight beta version would no longer be accessible in China, although the app remains available in other countries. A key feature of Bitchat is its ability to operate entirely over Bluetooth and mesh networks, eliminating the need for an internet connection.
This design makes it extremely difficult for governments to block the app using traditional methods such as internet shutdowns or firewall filtering. Consequently, Bitchat has gained popularity among protesters in various countries, including Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran, where it has been used to circumvent government restrictions on internet access aimed at suppressing dissent. With over three million downloads across different platforms and more than 92,000 downloads in the past week alone, the app's reach is substantial, although regional breakdowns are not available.
Additionally, the Google Play Store reports over one million registered downloads.