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 the China App Store. This was announced by Dorsey in a post on X.
The Cyberspace Administration of China cited the app's non-compliance with regulations governing online services that have the potential to shape public opinion or facilitate 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 operates solely through Bluetooth and mesh networks without requiring an internet connection, makes it impervious to conventional methods of government censorship such as internet shutdowns or firewall filtering. This unique feature has led to its widespread adoption during recent protests in several countries, including Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran, where authorities have attempted to limit internet access to suppress dissent.
With over three million downloads across various platforms and more than 92,000 downloads in the last week alone, the app's popularity is notable, although regional breakdowns are not available. Additionally, the Google Play Store reports over one million registered downloads.