Apple Removes Jack Dorsey-Backed Bitchat from China App Store

Apple has officially removed the decentralized messaging application Bitchat from its China App Store. The tech giant confirmed that the removal was executed in direct response to a formal request from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

Bitchat, which counts former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey among its notable backers, has been sidelined as part of the Chinese government’s ongoing efforts to regulate digital communication platforms within its borders. The CAC frequently mandates the withdrawal of applications that do not align with local internet governance policies or provide the regulatory oversight required by state authorities.

This move marks another instance of Apple complying with local legal requirements to maintain its presence in the Chinese market. Neither Apple nor representatives for Bitchat have issued further statements regarding the specific compliance issues cited by the CAC that led to the platform's delisting.