Beijing 9 September : Chinese social media platform WeChat is warning users who are not from China that their personal information are stored on servers in China, RFA reported.A large number of international WeChat users were sent a message on the 6th of September, warning them that “personal information (including) comments, likes as well as searches and browsing history, uploads of content and other data.” will be transferred to China.
The alert reminds users that their behavior when using the application is subject to WeChat’s license agreements and privacy policies.
A YouTuber who lives in France who only used her pseudonym, Miss Crook said she was stunned to receive an French version of the identical message.RFA reported.
“I did click through, the link and .the message appeared and I immediately cancelled,” she said.”It’s becoming clear what’s the difference between an authoritarian regime and a democratic one.”
She stated that the move would likely be a major issue for a large number of Chinese citizens and emigrants living abroad.
“Overseas Chinese have become very dependent on WeChat But is it really that crucial?” she stated.”We could actually get rid of it completely and we shouldn’t let them fool us.It’s not really that important.”
Confronted with increasing international concerns about privacy security, WeChat said in September 2021 that it had “separated” its data storage facilities for international and domestic users, and asked users from overseas to sign the conditions and terms in order to continue using the app which is used by many to transfer money to those in China or buy items in Chinese yuan and stay in contact with family and friends.
Former Sina Weibo censor Liu Lipeng claimed that the move was mostly cosmetic but RFA reported.
“Last year .WeChat re-signed its agreements with all users from overseas however, everything except for one-to-one chats has to be using WeChat protocols,” Liu said.”So when you tap OK, you’re returned in (the Chinese version) again.”
“Everything you write remains accessible (to authorities in China).Chinese authorities) It’s essentially an act of hand.It’s not changed at all,” he said.”You remain user of WeChat user.”
American-based legal scholar Teng Biao said WeChat’s parent company Tencent is already required under China’s Cybersecurity Law to assist the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) with any information it requires, as are the majority of the social media companies and other internet service providers in China, RFA reported.
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