Cyberspace Administration of China Archives

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

China orders Apple to pull Dorsey’s Bitchat, the messaging app used during Iran protests

Apple has removed the decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application Bitchat from its China App Store due to violations of regulations set by the Cyberspace Administration of China, which requires security assessments for apps that can influence public opinion or facilitate social mobilization. Bitchat operates over Bluetooth and mesh networks, making it resistant to traditional government internet shutdowns. The app has over three million downloads across various platforms, with more than 92,000 downloads in the past week and over one million registered downloads on the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

April 24, 2024

Apple pulls WhatsApp and Threads from App Store on Beijing’s orders

Apple has complied with the Chinese government's demands to remove Meta's WhatsApp and Threads apps from its App Store in China due to national security concerns. Despite facing challenges in the Chinese market, Apple is strategically expanding its manufacturing footprint beyond China and has been engaging with Southeast Asian leaders to strengthen partnerships and investments in the region.

AppWizard

April 22, 2024

Apple removes WhatsApp and Threads from China store under pressure from Beijing

Apple has complied with China's App Removal Mandate by removing Meta's WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in response to directives from the Cyberspace Administration of China citing national security reasons.