Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat removed from Apple App Store in China over violations

Jack Dorsey developed decentralized messaging app Bitchat has been taken down from Apple’s App Store in China after it violated the country’s internet service regulations.

Summary

• Bitchat was removed from Apple’s China App Store after regulators flagged it under rules governing apps that can influence public opinion.
• The decentralized messaging app remains available globally and continues to see rising downloads, with over three million installs recorded.

On Sunday, Dorsey confirmed that Bitchat was removed from the App Store in February, according to a message from Apple’s app review team issued at the request of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

The CAC has stated that Bitchat violated Article 3 of its regulations, a provision covering online services with public opinion or social mobilization capabilities that came into force in 2018. As part of this framework, any such services would have to undergo a security assessment before launch and be responsible for the outcome.

According to Apple, all apps must comply with local requirements in the countries where they are available.

“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,” the Apple review team said, adding that apps promoting or encouraging “criminal or reckless behavior” would be rejected.

The latest disruption only impacts China, and Bitchat remains available across other countries globally.

Bitchat thrives against censorship

Bitchat has gained attention during periods of political unrest as the app’s decentralized nature allows communication even during internet shutdowns. This also puts it at odds with China’s tightly controlled internet censorship regime.

Data from Chrome download statistics shows that the app has been downloaded more than three million times, with weekly downloads reaching over 92,000.

As previously reported by crypto.news, Bitchat downloads surged in Uganda as locals turned to the app during election-related internet shutdowns. At the time, Nyombi Thembo said authorities had the technical capacity to shut it down.

However, adoption continued to rise, especially as the app was promoted by opposition candidate Bobi Wine as a way to bypass connectivity restrictions.