Even though Facebook, and consequently Facebook Messenger, is blocked in China many Chinese still want some type of online messenger system to use, enter WeChat. The vast majority of Chinese and foreigners I have met in China have a WeChat account and use it regularly, more regularly than texting or calling. Even Chabad's Rabbi in Shanghai has a WeChat that he uses to share info about the Chabad House's activates and events. While WeChat has a Facebook wall esk "Moments" page and "subscription" accounts the app is really designed for person to person or group communication. In terms of features I would put WeChat's feature set far ahead of Facebook Messenger's. While Messenger offers a rarely used payment feature as kind of a side thing, WeChat pay seems almost more useful then a credit card in China. Also, WeChat offers voice calling and GPS maps which are both useful features that Facebook doesn't offer. Finally, WeChat has a sticker collection feature, that Facebook doesn't, which is simply far too fun. You will whole heartedly agree with the old adage "a picture is worth 1,000 words" when you express approval for something with a clapping Xi Jinping or showing confusion with a ground hog shouting "啊." My biggest issue with WeChat is that they most probably likely turn over chat logs and metadata over to the Chinese government whenever the government wants it. While for me this is not a problem as I avoid doing anything too sketchy or illegal, it is a problem though for activists who find that the police know the plans they made on WeChat a little too well. If I needed any level of security for my conversation I would not use WeChat. In China, I enjoy WeChat and I wish Facebook would steal some ideas from them. Outside of China, I will only use WeChat to communicate with my Chinese friends in part because of its limited use in the US and in part form its total lack of security.
2 Comments
Dad
11/27/2016 02:55:53 am
So how do the Chinese communicate when they need to avoid government suspicion or snooping, such as setting up a Falong Gong meeting or protest march or an illicit business deal? Do they just make a basic phone call?
Reply
Jared Paul Miller
11/29/2016 11:33:55 pm
The State actually owns all the telecom companies so phones are out. Secret organization is best done in person.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI am a junior at Juniata College spending a year studying abroad at East China Normal University. Please feel free to join my on my journey to China and beyond. Archives
November 2021
Categories
All
|