Apple has complied with a request from China's internet regulator to remove Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app created by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from its App Store in China. The decision was announced by Dorsey in a post on X. The Cyberspace Administration of China cited regulations related to online services with the potential to shape public opinion or mobilize society, which require prior security assessments.
As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that both the app's listing and its TestFlight beta version would be unavailable in China, although it remains accessible in other countries. Bitchat's design, which relies solely on Bluetooth and mesh networks and does not require an internet connection, makes it difficult for authorities to block. This has made the app a popular choice during protests in several countries, including Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran, where governments have attempted to restrict internet access.
With over three million downloads across platforms and more than 92,000 downloads in the past week, the app's reach is significant, although regional breakdowns are not available. According to the Google Play Store, the app has been downloaded over one million times.