Apple has removed Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app Bitchat from its App Store in China after receiving a request tied to local internet rules, according to a post Dorsey shared on X on Sunday.
The notice said the app was removed in February and that its TestFlight beta version would also no longer be available in China.
Apple’s message said the action came at the request of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
Why China targeted Bitchat
The CAC said Bitchat violated Article 3 of the country’s rules on internet-based information services with public opinion or social mobilization functions. In practice, the rule requires services with that kind of reach to complete a government security assessment before launch.
Because Bitchat allows users to communicate without internet access, regulators appear to have viewed the app as a platform that could support communication and coordination outside standard network controls.
Apple’s App Review team told Dorsey that both Bitchat’s public App Store listing and its TestFlight beta would stop working for users in mainland China.
They also said developers must understand and follow local laws in every country where they offer their apps.
“We know this stuff is complicated, but it is your responsibility to understand and make sure your app conforms with all local laws, not just the guidelines below,” Apple’s team stated.
And of course, apps that solicit, promote or encourage criminal or reckless behavior will be rejected,” they added.
How Bitchat works and why it matters
CEO of Block and founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, launched Bitchat in July. Initially, the app became available in its beta version through Apple’s TestFlight service and allowed up to 10,000 people to use it prior to its official launch.
Bitchat stands out among other messaging applications as it uses mesh network technology based on Bluetooth connectivity instead of the regular internet connections.
This enables direct connection of phones in the immediate vicinity that send messages to each other without using any mobile, Wi-Fi connections or servers. That’s why the Bitchat can continue working even during internet shutdowns.
“While your app has been removed from the China App Store, it is still available in the App Stores for the other territories you selected in App Store Connect,” Apple’s team stated.
“The TestFlight version of this app will also be unavailable for external and internal testing in China and all public TestFlight links will no longer be functional,” they added.
App remains available outside China
Despite the China takedown, Bitchat is still gaining users in other markets. Reports said users turned to Bitchat in countries including Iran, Nepal, Uganda, Madagascar, and Indonesia when authorities restricted internet access.
The app has reached three million downloads worldwide, and the number of downloads on the Google Play Store exceeds one million.
This shows that there is a massive demand for offline and decentralized messaging apps, especially in areas where internet access can be unreliable or limited.
The Chinese authorities have never been lenient when it comes to peer-to-peer messaging apps. There are numerous regulations concerning digital communication tools.
Apps that offer encrypted or offline messaging often face problems because authorities cannot monitor them easily. Bitchat works in this way, so it falls into this category.
For developers building similar apps, this situation creates a tough choice. They can modify their apps to comply with local laws, but this might lessen privacy features.
Or, they can leave the country without making changes in the app. For now, Bitchat seems to be choosing the second option.
China tightens crypto rules, supports blockchain use
China has also recently expanded its crypto restrictions to include RMB-pegged stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets.
In February, the People’s Bank of China and other regulators warned that issuing or distributing yuan-backed stablecoins without approval is prohibited, including offshore issuance linked to mainland China.
Regulators said such activities could create risks like illegal capital flows, fraud, and threats to China’s financial system. The move shows Beijing is continuing to tighten control over digital assets and digital forms of the renminbi.
China is also promoting blockchain for regulated financial use.
In a recent joint notice, regulators urged banks and local authorities to use blockchain and privacy computing to improve data sharing and support small business financing.