Damus Gets Banned in China

Just two days after being added to the Apple App Store, the decentralized social platform Damus has been banned for download and use in China.

In an official tweet from the company, Apple received a notice from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) saying that Damus “includes content illegal in China” and that it breaks the Provisions of Security Assessment on “Internet-based Information Services with Attribute of Public Opinions or Capable of Social Mobilization.”

“That was fast,” the caption of the tweet reads.

China’s belief that the website or mobile app is capable of creating social mobilizations may stem from the fact that Damus lacks a central authority.

The fast-growing social app developed by Nostr has been deemed a potential alternative to Twitter and claims itself to be “censorship resistant” while offering features such as end-to-end encrypted messages and payment services supported by Lighting Network.

Damus has been endorsed by former CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey, who also donated 14 BTC or $245,000 to fund the web development companies of the app.