At the behest of Beijing’s internet regulator, Apple has taken down Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app developed by Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from its China App Store. This action was confirmed by a tweet from Dorsey on Sunday.
The Cyberspace Administration of China claimed that Bitchat breached regulations concerning “Internet-based Information Services With Attribute of Public Opinions of Capable of Social Mobilization,” which were stipulated under 2018 rules mandating security checks before launching such apps.
Bitchat, unlike conventional messaging services, utilizes Bluetooth and mesh networks to function without internet reliance. This unique design presents challenges for China’s digital surveillance systems.
Despite the removal in China, Bitchat has gained significant traction globally, amassing over three million downloads across various platforms and more than 83,000 in just the past week. Its Apple TestFlight version reportedly hit its user cap of 10,000 before being pulled from the Chinese store. Additionally, it boasts over one million downloads on Google Play Store.
The app has been pivotal during protests in Madagascar, Uganda, Iran, Nepal, and Indonesia, where authorities have cut off internet access. Its mesh network allows messages to be relayed between devices without central servers or internet connectivity, proving crucial during government-imposed blackouts.
This action is part of Beijing’s ongoing efforts to control digital communications. China’s leading messaging app, WeChat, serves 1.34 billion monthly active users in a country with a population exceeding 1.4 billion and operates under stringent government oversight. Bitchat intentionally circumvents this level of regulation.
Previously in 2023, Chinese authorities banned Damus, another decentralized social media platform supported by Dorsey, citing concerns similar to those that led to the current action against Bitchat.