Apple has complied with a request from Chinese authorities to remove Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app created by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from its App Store in China. According to Dorsey, the app was taken down due to its non-compliance with regulations governing online services that have the potential to shape public opinion or mobilize social movements. The Cyberspace Administration of China requires such apps to undergo security assessments prior to launch. As a result, both the app's official listing and its TestFlight beta version are no longer accessible in China, although they remain available in other countries.
Bitchat's unique design allows it to function over Bluetooth and mesh networks without relying on an internet connection, rendering it impervious to government blockages through conventional means. This feature has made the app a preferred tool for protesters in countries like Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran, where internet access has been restricted in an effort 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 continues to grow, although regional breakdowns are not available. Additionally, the Google Play Store reports over one million registered downloads.