Chinese messenger app WeChat denies storing user chats

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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."

A WeChat logo is displayed inside TIT Creativity Industry Zone where Tencent office is located in Guangzhou, China, May 9, 2017. /Reuters Photo

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 WeChat’s every day."

Like all Chinese social media platforms, WeChat is required to censor public posts, against any illegal content.

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.

WeChat is also a popular means of mobile payment in China. /VCG Photo

Source(s): Reuters