WeChat is an app that allows you to call people, send instant messages (voice, text, video), view contacts’ latest updates, read news articles, send money to friends and family, shop online, play online games, pay for goods and services online or offline, and set up an official business account (which can incur charges). They are run by a Chinese company and are called Weixin in China.
Personal data collected
WeChat collects your information when you set up an account with them, such as nickname, mobile number, password, name, email address, user alias, gender, and IP address. They also collect your location data, such as GPS, WiFi, compass, accelerometer, and any public posts you make. You share this information when you use their services that have location based features or when you login to WeChat, so they can make sure there are not multiple instances of you being logged in.
Any information you publicly shared, such as profile ID, name, and photo, is collected by WeChat. In some circumstances, such as within an official account, you may need to provide your payment information and billing address.
Personal data usage
WeChat uses data to:
- Improve and support their services.
- Advertise through their services.
- Provide quick access to previous searches.
- Provide personalization within their services.
- Provide language and location customization.
- Develop new services.
- Better understand how you access and use WeChat.
- Verify identity and for account security.
- Connect you with other WeChat users.
- Prevent fraud and spam.
- Comply with legal requirements.
- Investigate any issues that arise.
Cookies and similar tech
WeChat uses cookies, web beacons, log files, scripts or ETags, and other similar technologies when you use WeChat’s services. Such information includes mobile carrier related information, web browser information, IP address, device version and ID number, search terms used, what you searched for, social media profiles visited, identity of a user that you have communicated with and the time, data, and duration of your communications, and the date, time, or location that you shared a photograph or video, and when it was taken or posted. If you disable cookies, their services may not function as intended.
WeChat account
WeChat is not intended for children under 16 years old and they need parental consent before using their services. If a child has signed up without parental consent, you can contact WeChat to have their information removed.
Data shared with WeChat
How to protect your privacy
You can protect your privacy on WeChat by:
- Deleting your account by logging into it and following the account deletion instructions.
- Disabling cookies.
- Deleting the app.
How to contact WeChat about your privacy
You can contact WeChat online, via email, or postal mail at:
26.04 26th floor of Amstelplein 54, 1096 BC Amsterdam, the Netherlands Attention: Data Protection Officer, Legal Department