Apple has complied with a request from China's internet regulator to remove the Bitchat messaging app from its App Store in China, as announced by Block CEO Jack Dorsey on X. The Cyberspace Administration of China claimed the app breached rules governing online services with the potential to shape public opinion or mobilize society, which necessitate security evaluations prior to launch. As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that the app's listing and beta version would no longer be accessible in China, although it remains available in other countries.
Bitchat's design, which operates solely over Bluetooth and mesh networks without requiring an internet connection, renders it impervious to conventional government blocks. This feature has made the app a preferred choice for protesters in countries such as Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran, where authorities have attempted to restrict internet access to suppress dissent.
With over three million downloads across platforms and more than 92,000 downloads in the past week alone, the app's popularity has raised concerns among governments seeking to maintain control over online communications.