Apple has complied with a request from China's internet regulator to remove Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app, from its App Store in China, as announced by Block CEO Jack Dorsey. The Cyberspace Administration of China cited a violation of regulations related to online services that influence public opinion. As a result, Apple removed both the app's listing and its beta version from the China App Store, although it remains available in other countries.
Bitchat's unique design, which utilizes Bluetooth and mesh networks without requiring an internet connection, has made it a popular choice among protesters, including those in Iran, Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, and Indonesia, where authorities have attempted to restrict internet access. With over three million downloads across platforms and more than 92,000 downloads in the past week, the app's removal from the China App Store highlights the ongoing tensions between censorship and the use of technology for social mobilization.