Messaging Upstart Touted as WeChat Rival Wiped From Apple Store
- Bullet Message is no longer available in the China store
- The app’s users reached millions, spurring expansion plans
This article is for subscribers only.
Bullet Message, the social media upstart touted as a challenger to Tencent’s ubiquitous WeChat, was removed from Apple Inc.’s China app store for potential content violations.
Backed by niche smartphone designer Smartisan, the app created a sensation after garnering 5 million users within two weeks of its August launch, drawing praise for its clean design in contrast with WeChat’s increasingly crowded shopfront. But the fledgling app, which briefly topped its larger rival in downloads from Apple’s local iOS store, was no longer available as of Tuesday afternoon. Searches only turned up unrelated results.