Jack Dorsey’s BitChat messenger has been removed from China’s App Store. Apple said the move was made at the request of a local regulator.
The company said the app violated the country’s “public opinion-influencing and social mobilization” regulations. BitChat allows for encrypted messaging between devices via Bluetooth, without the need for an internet connection.
The app, which is set to launch in 2025, is completely decentralized. It doesn’t require an email or phone number to use, and there’s no account system at all.
The app continues to operate in other countries. BitChat has been downloaded more than 3 million times so far, with 92,000 in the last week alone.
