According to a recent post by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, Apple has removed the decentralized messaging app Bitchat from its App Store in China following a request from the country's internet regulator. The Cyberspace Administration of China claimed that Bitchat failed to comply with regulations governing online services that have the potential to influence public opinion or mobilize society, which necessitates a security assessment prior to launch. As a result, Apple's app review team notified Dorsey that the app would no longer be available for download in China, although it remains accessible in other countries. The app's unique design, which enables it to function over Bluetooth and mesh networks without requiring an internet connection, has made it a popular choice among protesters in 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, Bitchat's architecture has proven to be a significant challenge for governments seeking to block it through conventional means.