Damus mobile app banned in China

Decentralized social network application Damus has been banned from operating in mainland China, over concerns that its app includes content that is illegal in China.

The mobile app which is a decentralized version of Twitter went live on the AppStore on Feb. 1, after multiple rejections.

Barely 24 hours after its launch, the user count of the mobile app surged above 45,000 and became the second-most popular social network in China.

However, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has moved to curtail its growth by removing the app from the China App Store.  The CAC claimed that the Damus app includes content that is illegal in China.

In addition, Damus is said to violate “the provisions of the security assessment of internet-based information services with an attribute or public opinion or capable of social mobilization.”

The Nostr-based social app was designed to give users complete control over their data and content while eliminating the need for a KYC process.

The ban will prevent users in mainland China from being able to download and access the Damus mobile application. However, the app is available in app stores in other countries.

Meanwhile, Damus has experienced sustained growth as its App Store downloads have surpassed 56,000.