Company Directory - WeChat
Company Details - WeChat
WeChat is a multipurpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by Tencent. It offers messaging, voice and video calls, social networking, and integrated services including content moderation, making it a central part of digital life in China.
CCI Score
CCI Score: WeChat
-56.64
0.02%
Latest Event
WeChat's Role in Content Censorship and Labor Practices Revealed
An investigative report highlights harsh labor conditions among content moderators and the deployment of repressive censorship technologies across major Chinese internet platforms. Although the piece broadly examines the industry, the practices described raise concerns about WeChat's complicity in authoritarian censorship and worker exploitation.
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QUISLING
WeChat is currently rated as a Quisling.
Latest Events
- MAR212025
An investigative report highlights harsh labor conditions among content moderators and the deployment of repressive censorship technologies across major Chinese internet platforms. Although the piece broadly examines the industry, the practices described raise concerns about WeChat's complicity in authoritarian censorship and worker exploitation.
- AUG012023
Amnesty International's report states that during the Qixi festival, WeChat banned the accounts of several LGBTI groups without explanation, a move that reinforces state censorship and supports authoritarian practices by suppressing free expression.
-75
Media Influence and Propaganda
October 1
The report highlights WeChat's removal of LGBTI group accounts on a significant cultural day, reflecting a broader pattern of media censorship that supports authoritarian state policies. This action not only suppresses marginalized voices but also facilitates state propaganda by controlling digital discourse, thereby aligning with practices that undermine democratic freedoms.
- FEB072023
OpenSecrets report details Tencent's $6.3 million federal lobbying expenditure and highlights WeChat's role as an integral tool in surveillance, censorship, and propaganda that supports authoritarian regimes.
-80
Public and Political Behavior
March 20
Tencent, the parent company of WeChat, has actively engaged in federal lobbying, spending $6.3 million to influence US policy. This activity demonstrates significant corporate involvement in political processes, raising concerns about efforts to shape policy in a manner that supports authoritarian practices.
-70
Technology and Services Impact
March 20
WeChat has been identified as a key tool in the Chinese surveillance and censorship apparatus. Its integration into social media, messaging, and payment systems facilitates widespread data collection, aiding state efforts to monitor citizens and suppress dissent, which are hallmarks of authoritarian regimes.
- FEB072023
An article reveals that Tencent, owner of WeChat, has spent millions in federal lobbying while the platform has been used for surveillance and censorship, supporting authoritarian practices.
-80
Public and Political Behavior
March 20
Tencent, the parent company of WeChat, spent $6.3 million on federal lobbying since 2020. This significant lobbying effort, undertaken during pivotal political moments including attempts to ban the app under the Trump administration, indicates corporate support for policies that may undermine democratic accountability and favor authoritarian practices.
-75
Technology and Services Impact
March 20
WeChat has been implicated in facilitating Chinese government surveillance and censorship, contributing to a repressive digital environment. Its role in automatically capturing user data and aiding state propaganda underscores a troubling alignment with authoritarian control.
- SEP282020
A Human Rights Watch report from September 2020 details WeChat’s active censorship and surveillance practices, including handing over user data to PRC authorities. This behavior supports the state’s repressive agenda by stifling dissent and contributing to human rights abuses.
-80
Provision of Repressive Technologies
March 20
The report from Human Rights Watch outlines how WeChat, owned by Tencent, plays a critical role in authoritarian repression by censoring content, surveilling users, and sharing sensitive data with the government. This clear facilitation of repressive technology directly bolsters state control and violates user rights, meriting a strongly negative score.
- SEP212020
In response to rising U.S. national security concerns and potential bans, WeChat (owned by Tencent) has hired lobbyists to help influence policy decisions. This move, reported in September 2020, reflects the company’s efforts to leverage political influence during a period of intense scrutiny and authoritarian policy enforcement.
-60
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 20
WeChat's recent decision to engage lobbyists, including individuals with known ties to pro-Trump political networks, demonstrates an attempt to shape U.S. policy in its favor amid national security debates. This effort to influence political decisions aligns with authoritarian practices by prioritizing corporate interests over democratic transparency and accountability.
Amid deal talks, TikTok, WeChat turn to lobbyists for US support • OpenSecrets
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