The decentralised peer-to-peer messaging app Bitchat, which runs entirely on wireless Bluetooth and doesn’t require the internet, has been removed from the Chinese Apple store. The software was in violation of the rules controlling online services with “public opinion or social mobilization capabilities,” according to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). It is one of those clauses that mandates several security evaluations before launching. Even so, the app is still accessible outside of China and was utilized during protests in several nations, including Madagascar, Iran, and Indonesia.
This was done earlier this year, precisely on February 28, 2026. According to Apple, it took down the decentralized messaging software Bitchat from its China software store in response to a formal request from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
In a post on X, Dorsey included a screenshot from Apple’s app review team that made it quite evident that Bitchat had been taken out of China and that the TestFlight Beta version would not be accessible. Bitchat’s complete reliance on Bluetooth and mesh networks, which do not require an internet connection, is another intriguing feature that makes it challenging for governments to prohibit using firewall filtering or traditional internet shutdown. Additionally, this statement directly contradicts China’s internet-censorship-prone government.
China removed Bitchat from the Apple Store over regulatory and technical difficulties. Regulators cited illegal content, lack of security assessments, and potential for social mobilization. Technically, the app’s use of offline Bluetooth mesh networks resists government surveillance, a key concern given its role in global protests and Bitcoin integration.
Any public platform that has the potential to sway public opinion or facilitate social mobilization must perform a security assessment prior to launch and “be responsible for the assessment.” results,” according to CAC. According to the app review team, every app needs to abide by the nation’s local laws. “We understand that the situation is complicated, but you must ensure your app complies with all local laws, not just the guidelines below,” they continued. Of course, we will reject apps that advocate, promote, or solicit criminal or reckless activity.
In the midst of Hurricane Melissa last year, Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat was a giant hit for Jamaica. The decentralized technology gave those experiencing power and internet outages a crucial tool by enabling offline, encrypted communication via Bluetooth mesh networks. The platform quickly moved up to fourth place on Apple’s App Store and second place on Jamaica’s Google Play Store charts.
In China, both the App Store and TestFlight versions of Bitchat are now unavailable. However, the app remains accessible worldwide and has surpassed three million downloads globally.