Chinese regulators have ordered Apple to remove Bitchat, Jack Dorsey’s decentralized messaging app, from the China App Store. Unlike traditional apps, Bitchat operates via Bluetooth and mesh networks, avoiding central servers. This ban follows similar moves against other Dorsey-backed decentralized apps, highlighting China’s stringent control over digital communications.
Bitchat has seen significant usage in Madagascar, Uganda, Iran, Nepal, and Indonesia, where governments have restricted internet access. The app’s unique network design makes it valuable during connectivity blackouts, but now it faces removal.
Keyword: Jack Dorsey, Bitchat, decentralized messaging, China, internet regulation