privacy wire

apple pulled the telegram app from the app store worldwide, blocking new downloads and updates. existing users who already installed the app can still use it, but distribution on apple's platform is now cut off.

regulators ordered app stores and carriers to block the messenger after it refused to hand over decryption keys. usage of mesh and offline messaging tools spiked locally.

digital rights groups warn that mandated on-device scanning breaks end-to-end encryption guarantees for every user, not just targets.

documented shutdowns during elections and protests continue to climb, driving interest in infrastructure-independent communication.

new obligations require providers to retain contact graphs, a category of data bitchat never creates because there is no server or account.