Apple has been forced to remove Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app developed by Jack Dorsey, from the China App Store following a request from Beijing's internet regulator, as announced by Dorsey in a recent X post. According to the Cyberspace Administration of China, the app failed to comply with regulations governing online services that have the potential to shape public opinion or facilitate social mobilization. As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that the app would no longer be available in China, although it remains accessible in other countries. The app's unique design, which allows it to operate over Bluetooth and mesh networks without requiring an internet connection, has made it an attractive tool for protesters in countries such as 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 has been notable, although regional breakdowns are not available. Additionally, the Google Play Store reports over one million registered downloads.