Following a request from China's internet regulator, Apple has removed the decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app Bitchat from its China App Store, as announced by Block CEO Jack Dorsey in a recent X post. The Cyberspace Administration of China stated that the app breached regulations related to online services with the potential to sway public opinion or mobilize society, which necessitates a security evaluation prior to launch. As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that both the App Store listing and the TestFlight beta version of Bitchat would no longer be accessible in China, although the app remains available in other countries. The app's unique design, which enables it to function over Bluetooth and mesh networks without requiring an internet connection, has made it a popular choice among protesters, particularly in regions where authorities have attempted to restrict internet access to suppress dissent.
This has been evident in recent protests in several countries, including Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran. With over three million downloads across platforms and more than 92,000 downloads in the past week alone, Bitchat has garnered significant attention, although regional breakdowns of its downloads are not available. Additionally, the Google Play Store reports over one million registered downloads of the app.