Does the party fear secret mobilization? Jack Dorsey: China is asking Apple to remove Bitchat, a decentralized communications app

Apple removes the decentralized messaging app Bitchat from the market in accordance with China’s regulatory requirements. The app was deemed to carry risks of social mobilization due to its Bluetooth offline and mesh network characteristics, sparking attention on freedom of communication and the regulatory boundary.

Block CEO Jack Dorsey (Jack Dorsey) posted on the social platform X to confirm that Apple, at the request of China’s internet network regulators, has removed the decentralized messaging app Bitchat from the China region. The app, because it has Bluetooth offline transmission and decentralized features, was determined by China to violate the relevant communication regulations authorities have for social mobilization.

Bitchat violates China’s Cybersecurity Law; Apple notifies it to be taken down

According to the information Dorsey made public, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said that Bitchat violated Article 3 of the Provisions on the Security Assessment of Internet-based Information Services with Attribute of Public Opinions or Capable of Social Mobilization (Internet-based information services security assessment provisions with the attributes of public opinion or capability for social mobilization). This law requires online services with the attributes of public opinion or capability for social mobilization to go through an official security assessment process before they can formally launch and provide services. Apple’s app review team subsequently notified the developers that both Bitchat’s official version and its TestFlight testing version cannot continue to be supplied in the China market, but the app can still be used and accessed in other countries and regions.

Image source: X/@jack

How does Bitchat work?

Bitchat’s technical architecture differs significantly from traditional communication software. The app operates entirely based on Bluetooth and Mesh Network technology. This peer-to-peer communication mode does not rely on telecom carrier infrastructure or an internet connection. Users can maintain basic communication within a range of 30 to 100 meters, and by forwarding through nodes it enables transmission over longer distances. For regulators, this design bypasses traditional network firewall filtering and content inspection systems, making it extremely difficult for the government to block it through conventional measures such as blocking the internet.

Bitchat is often used for international activism

Because Bitchat can operate without an internet connection, it has become a communications tool used during protests in many countries and in network outage events. In countries such as Iran, Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, and Indonesia, in the past when governments attempted to restrict the spread of information through technical means, Bitchat’s decentralized characteristics enabled it to perform communication functions. Its ability to keep operating in special environments puts it at odds with Beijing’s current internet security review mechanism, leading to it being banned in the China market. This is also why, after the decentralized social app Damus, a program supported by Dorsey was again taken down in China.

As of early April 2026, Bitchat’s cumulative downloads across global platforms have already exceeded 3 million. In the most recent week alone, it added more than 92,000 downloads. Public information from the Google Play store also shows that the app has over 1 million registered download records. Although detailed download breakdown data for each regional market is currently lacking, its growth trend indicates that decentralized communication tools are drawing attention in certain markets. At present, the app continues to be normally available in regions outside China, providing offline communication solutions.

• This article is reproduced with authorization from: ChainNews
• Original title: 《Jack Dorsey posts to confirm Apple removes Bitchat decentralized messaging app at China’s request》
• Original author: DW