Apple has removed the decentralized messaging app Bitchat from its China App Store following a request from China's internet regulator, as announced by Block CEO Jack Dorsey. The Cyberspace Administration of China stated that the app breached regulations related to online services that have the capability to influence public opinion or mobilize society, which requires a security assessment prior to launch. As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that both the app's listing and beta version on TestFlight would be unavailable in China, although it remains accessible in other countries.
The app, which relies on Bluetooth and mesh networks and does not require an internet connection, has been utilized during protests in several countries, including 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, the app's architecture makes it difficult for governments to block through conventional means.