Following a request from China's internet regulator, Apple has removed Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app created by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from its App Store in China, as announced by Dorsey 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 mobilize society, which necessitates security evaluations prior to launch. As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that both the App Store listing and the TestFlight beta version of Bitchat would no longer be accessible in China, although the app remains available in other countries. The app's design, which relies solely on Bluetooth and mesh networks and does not require an internet connection, makes it resistant to government blocking through traditional internet shutdowns or firewall filtering.
This feature has made Bitchat a preferred choice during recent protests in several countries, 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 past week alone, the app's popularity continues to grow, although regional breakdowns are not available. According to the Google Play Store, the app has been downloaded over one million times.