Following a request from China's internet regulator, Apple has taken down Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app created by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from its App Store in China, as disclosed by Dorsey in a recent X post. The Cyberspace Administration of China cited the app's non-compliance with regulations related to online services that have the potential to sway public opinion or mobilize society, which necessitates a security review prior to launch.
As a result, Apple's review team notified Dorsey that both the app's listing and its TestFlight beta version would be unavailable in China, although the app remains accessible in other countries. The app's design, which operates solely over Bluetooth and mesh networks without requiring an internet connection, renders it impervious to government blockages through traditional means such as internet shutdowns or firewall filtering. This unique architecture has made Bitchat a preferred tool for protesters in countries like 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 endures, although regional breakdowns are not available. Additionally, the Google Play Store reports over one million registered downloads.