Apple has removed the Bitchat app, developed by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from its App Store in China following a request from the country's internet regulator, as announced by Dorsey in a recent X post. The Cyberspace Administration of China stated that the app breached regulations related to online services capable of shaping public opinion or facilitating social mobilization, which necessitate security evaluations prior to launch. Consequently, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that both the app's listing and its TestFlight beta version would be inaccessible 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 requiring an internet connection, renders it impervious to conventional government blocking methods.
This unique architecture has led to its adoption as a key tool in recent protests across various nations, 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 last week alone, the app's popularity is evident, although regional breakdowns are not available. Additionally, the Google Play Store reports over one million registered downloads.