Apple has recently removed the digital copy of the original Bitcoin whitepaper from the macOS Ventura 13.4 beta 3 update, surprising members of the Beta Software Program. The whitepaper was hidden in system files within the Image Capture app alongside other miscellaneous assets.
The assets were bundled as part of the VirtualScanner.app, a tool that simulates scanning and exporting documents or images without the need for a physical scanner. However, the entire tool, including the whitepaper, has been removed from the beta update.
This development follows developer Andy Baio’s discovery of the PDF version of Satoshi Nakamoto’s whitepaper on April 5th, which gained significant attention. The inclusion of the whitepaper in the operating system sparked speculation about Apple’s intentions.
Some interpreted it as a subtle acknowledgment of the growing importance of cryptocurrencies, while others considered it an inside joke by Apple engineers. Baio himself suggested that the whitepaper might have been included for testing purposes due to its lightweight and multi-paged nature.
Apple has not released an official statement regarding the removal of the whitepaper, leaving users to speculate about the reasons behind this decision and its implications. Those who initially believed that Apple’s inclusion of the document signaled its endorsement of Bitcoin now view this move as a step back from the cryptocurrency.
As the relationship between tech giants and cryptocurrencies continues to evolve, the removal of the Bitcoin whitepaper from the macOS beta raises questions about Apple’s stance on digital currencies. It remains to be seen whether Apple will provide any clarification or further updates on this matter.
