Tencent Holdings’ WeChat, China’s most popular messenger app, on Tuesday denied storing users’ chat histories, after a top businessman was quoted in media reports as saying he believed Tencent was monitoring everyone’s account.
“WeChat does not store any users’ chat history. That is only stored in users’ mobiles, computers and other terminals,” WeChat said in a post on the social media platform.
“WeChat will not use any content from user chats for big data analysis. Because of WeChat’s technical model that does not store or analyze user chats, the rumor that ‘we are watching your WeChat everyday’ is pure misunderstanding.”
Li Shufu, chairman of Geely Holdings, owner of the Volvo car brand, was quoted in Chinese media on Monday as saying Tencent Chairman Ma Huateng “must be watching all our WeChats every day”.
Like all Chinese social media platforms, WeChat is required to censor public posts deemed “illegal” by the Communist Party. WeChat’s privacy policy says it may need to retain and disclose users’ information “in response to a request by a government authority, law enforcement agency or similar body”.
WeChat did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
According to a report by Amnesty International, Tencent ranked at the bottom of 11 tech firms running the world’s most popular messenger apps for how they use encryption to protect user privacy.
China’s cyber watchdog in September announced a new rule making chat group administrators and companies accountable for breaches of content rules.
In the same month it handed down maximum penalties to tech firms including Tencent, Baidu Inc and Weibo Corp for failing to properly censor online content, and asked them to increase content auditing measures.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s reputation on the line over ¢700m scholarship debt – Youth Minister admits
1 hour -
‘We will pay’ – Government scrambles to clear ¢700m scholarship debt
2 hours -
We inherited over GH¢700m in unpaid scholarship funds – George Opare Addo
2 hours -
Hunter Biden lashes out at George Clooney over father’s 2024 election exit
3 hours -
French cities impose curfews on children after drug violence
3 hours -
Hershey, Nestle, other cocoa companies defeat appeal of child slavery lawsuit
4 hours -
China finds cover-up in lead poisoning of 200 children
4 hours -
Prince George photo released for his 12th birthday
5 hours -
Philippines goods to face 19% tariff, Trump says
5 hours -
Indian vice president’s resignation sparks speculation
5 hours -
Irish government reveals how Apple tax windfall will be spent
5 hours -
Brazilian Supreme Court justice threatens to arrest Bolsonaro
5 hours -
Queen Elizabeth II’s fashion to feature in exhibition
6 hours -
North Macedonia backs Morocco’s autonomy plan as sole basis for resolving Sahara dispute
6 hours -
Coach Lars Björkegren “proud” of Black Queens after penalty defeat to Morocco
6 hours