Apple has removed Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app created by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from the China App Store following a request from Beijing's internet regulator, as disclosed by Dorsey in a recent X post. The Cyberspace Administration of China stated that the app breached regulations related to online services that have the capacity to influence public opinion or mobilize society, which require security evaluations prior to launch.
As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that both the app's listing and its TestFlight beta version would no longer be accessible in China, although the app remains available in other countries. The app's design, which enables it to function over Bluetooth and mesh networks without needing an internet connection, makes it difficult for governments to block through traditional methods such as internet shutdowns or firewall filtering. This unique architecture has led to its adoption 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 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.