Following a request from China's internet regulator, Apple has removed the decentralized messaging app Bitchat from its App Store in China, as disclosed by Block CEO Jack Dorsey in a recent X post. The Cyberspace Administration of China cited the app's non-compliance with regulations governing online services that have the potential to influence public opinion or facilitate social mobilization, which necessitates a security assessment prior to launch.
As a result, Apple's app review team informed Dorsey that both the app's listing and its TestFlight beta version would no longer be accessible 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, makes it impervious to government blocking through conventional means such as internet shutdowns or firewall filtering. This unique architecture has led to the app's adoption as a key tool in recent protests across various 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. Additionally, the Google Play Store reports over one million registered downloads.