Apple has complied with a request from China's internet regulator to remove Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app created by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from its App Store in China, as announced by Dorsey on X. The Cyberspace Administration of China cited the app's non-compliance with regulations requiring security assessments for online services that influence public opinion.
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. The app's unique design, which enables it to function without an internet connection via Bluetooth and mesh networks, makes it difficult for authorities to block.
This feature has made Bitchat a popular choice among protesters in countries such as Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran, where internet access has been restricted. With over three million downloads across platforms and more than 92,000 downloads in the past week, the app's removal from the China App Store marks a significant development in the country's efforts to regulate online content.