China Orders Apple to Pull Bitchat From App Store

TLDR

• Apple removed Bitchat from the China App Store after a request from the Cyberspace Administration of China.
• Jack Dorsey confirmed the app’s removal and shared Apple’s notice on X.
• Chinese regulators said Bitchat violated rules for online services with public opinion capabilities.
• Apple stated that developers must comply with local laws in every market where their apps operate.
• Authorities ended both the App Store listing and the TestFlight beta access in China.

Apple removed Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app from its China App Store after a regulator request. The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the action earlier this year. Dorsey confirmed the removal and shared Apple’s notice on X.

China Regulator Cites Rules Over Public Opinion Capabilities

Apple informed the developer that it removed Bitchat in February from the China App Store. The company also ended access to the app’s TestFlight beta in the country. Dorsey posted that “Bitchat pulled from the China App Store,” and attached Apple’s message.

Apple stated that the Cyberspace Administration of China made the request under national internet rules. The regulator found that Bitchat violated rules for services with “public opinion or social mobilization capabilities.” Those rules took effect in 2018 and require security assessments before launch. Authorities require operators to “be responsible for the assessment results” under the provisions.

Apple told the developer that compliance with local laws remains mandatory in every market. The review team wrote, “It is your responsibility to understand and make sure your app conforms with all local laws.” The team also said it rejects apps that encourage unlawful or risky behavior.

Bitchat operates without central servers and uses Bluetooth and mesh networks for message transfers. The system does not rely on internet access for communication between devices. This structure limits the impact of traditional network blocks and controls.

The removal affects only the China storefront and related beta testing channels. Apple confirmed that the app remains available in other regions. The company did not disclose further details about the review process.

Bitchat Records Millions of Downloads Outside China

Bitchat has gained users in several countries where authorities restricted internet access. Reports linked the app’s growth to protests in Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, and Iran. In those situations, officials attempted to block online communication platforms.

The app allows users to send messages directly between nearby devices through mesh connections. Because it bypasses centralized servers, users can communicate without internet service. This feature has driven adoption in areas facing network disruptions.

Download figures show rising global interest outside China. Data from the Chrome platform lists more than three million downloads. The same source shows over 92,000 downloads in the past week.

Google Play Store data reports more than one million installs. The available figures do not specify geographic distribution. Apple stated that Bitchat remains accessible in markets outside China at this time.

Dorsey did not announce any appeal against the China decision. Apple has not reported further regulatory actions regarding the app. The most recent data shows continued availability outside China and ongoing download activity.

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