Official: WeChat shares Private user data with the Chinese government

swatkats

Skilled
WeChat users have now been informed that their favorite messaging app is sharing pretty much all of their private data with the Chinese government.

After downloading the app’s latest patch, WeChat users were prompted to accept the updated privacy policy to be able to use the app, Epoch Times reported.

In the new privacy statement, the company revealed that personal data, including the messages users type into the app, are surrendered to the Chinese regime in compliance with “applicable laws or regulations” in the country.

Aside from your personal information and messages, the app also stores users’ private log data such as“information about what you have searched for and looked at while using WeChat,” and “people you’ve communicated with and the time, data and duration of your communications.” The company mainly uses such collected data to customize advertisements and direct marketing.

However, the new privacy policy admitted that the company would “retain, preserve or disclose” such data to “comply with applicable laws or regulations.”

As per the new policy, the Log Data that WeChat collects to power its in-app advertising and direct marketing activities and other Personal Information that it collects can be disclosed:
  • To comply with applicable laws or regulations.
  • To comply with a court order, subpoena or other legal process.
  • In response to a request by a government authority, law enforcement agency or similar body (whether situated in your jurisdiction or elsewhere).
Log Data is collected automatically by WeChat using cookies, web beacons, log files, scripts and etags. So, what kind of information is collected as part of the Log Data?

  • Mobile carrier-related information, configuration information, IP address, and device version and identification number.
  • Information on what the user has searched for and viewed using WeChat, including web search terms used, social media profiles visited, content accessed or requested through WeChat, etc.
  • Information about people user has communicated with, including time, data and duration of communication.
  • Metadata, which is information such as time, date or location shared when a photo or video is posted using WeChat.

Source: https://nextshark.com/wechat-admits-gives-private-user-data-chinese-government/
https://www.medianama.com/2017/09/223-wechat-user-data-chinese-government/

Do not use Any IM app just like that.. Your privacy is at risk!
 
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I'm quite sure Mi does the same with all their phones sold here too .
All our data directly synced with the Chinese government .
Irony .. I have 3 Mi phones ...[emoji13]
 
Whatsapp will also soon be banned or already is banned in China. I go there a lot its a beautiful country though.
 
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