Apple has removed BitChat, a decentralized messaging application developed by Twitter co-founder and Block CEO Jack Dorsey, from the App Store in China, Cointelegraph is reporting.
The Cupertino giant reportedly pulled the app following a direct request from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s primary internet regulator. The removal marks another chapter in the ongoing tension between decentralized communication tools and national internet regulations.
Jack Dorsey confirmed the news by sharing a screenshot of a notification from Apple’s app review team on X. The notification detailed that the app violates local internet service regulations, specifically Article 3 of rules introduced in 2018. These rules target online services with the capability of influencing public opinion or “social mobilization”.
Unlike traditional messaging apps, BitChat is designed to function without relying on centralized servers or even a consistent internet connection. It utilizes peer-to-peer Bluetooth mesh networking to relay messages directly between devices within a range of roughly 30 to 100 meters.
This unique architecture allows the app to bypass conventional network restrictions, making it particularly difficult for authorities to monitor or control. Chinese regulators mandate that apps with communication or information-sharing capabilities undergo strict security assessments before they are allowed to launch. According to the CAC, BitChat failed to meet these requirements.
In its message to the developers, Apple emphasized that all applications must comply with the local laws of the countries in which they operate. The company stated that it is the responsibility of the developer to ensure their software conforms to these regulations, regardless of how complicated they may be.
While BitChat is now blocked in China, its popularity continues to surge globally. The app has reportedly been downloaded over three million times, with more than one million installs on the Google Play Store alone.
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