WeChat collects various personal data including account info, contact details, messages, device data, location, and payment info. It uses this data to provide services, enhance security, display ads, and comply with laws. Users can control privacy settings like who adds them, Moments visibility, and location sharing. WeChat may share data with third-party services, service providers, and authorities when required. Reviewing privacy settings periodically is recommended for better data protection.
WeChat’s privacy policy is designed to outline how the app collects, uses, and protects your personal data. If you're using WeChat regularly — whether for chatting, payments, or browsing mini-programs — it's important to understand what data is being collected and how it’s handled.

What Data Does WeChat Collect?
WeChat gathers several types of information from users, including:

- Basic account info: Your username, profile picture, mobile number, and email (if provided).
- Contact info: Your address book contacts if you choose to sync them.
- Message content: Text messages, voice notes, images, and videos you send and receive.
- Device and usage data: Information about your device type, operating system, IP address, and how you use the app.
- Location data: If location services are enabled, WeChat may collect your general or precise location.
- Payment data: If you use WeChat Pay, your financial information (like bank details) may be collected as well.
This data collection helps the app function smoothly and deliver personalized features like friend suggestions and targeted ads.
How Does WeChat Use My Data?
WeChat uses your data mainly for:

- Providing and improving services: This includes message delivery, contact syncing, and ensuring app stability.
- Security and fraud prevention: To detect suspicious behavior and protect user accounts.
- Advertising: Personalized ads are shown based on your usage patterns and interests.
- Legal compliance: In some cases, WeChat may share data with authorities when required by law.
It’s worth noting that while your messages are generally private between you and the recipient, WeChat states in its policy that it may scan messages for illegal content or keywords under legal obligations.
Can I Control My Privacy Settings?
Yes, WeChat gives you some control over your privacy through its settings. Here are a few key areas you can adjust:
- Who can add me as a contact: You can disable being added via phone number, QR code, or group chat.
- Who sees my Moments: You can restrict who views your posts by selecting specific friends or hiding from certain people.
- Location sharing: You can turn off location access for features like "People Nearby."
- Message history backup: You can choose whether to back up chats to the cloud.
To find these settings, go to Me > Settings > Privacy. It’s a good idea to review them periodically, especially after major app updates.
Does WeChat Share My Data With Third Parties?
WeChat may share your data with:
- Third-party services integrated into the app, such as mini-programs or official accounts.
- Service providers that help run the platform, like payment processors or customer support tools.
- Authorities, if legally required.
The policy mentions that third parties must comply with data protection laws, but it’s always wise to be cautious when linking external accounts or using mini-programs.
That’s a general overview of what’s covered in WeChat’s privacy policy. The key takeaway is: the app collects a lot of data, much of which is necessary for its functionality, but users do have some control over their privacy settings. Being aware of what you’re sharing and adjusting those settings accordingly can help protect your personal information.
The above is the detailed content of What is WeChat's privacy policy?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

Hot AI Tools

Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free

Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Article

Hot Tools

Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor

SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use

Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment

Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools

SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)

Hot Topics

WeChat does not have an official "read" function, but it can be determined whether the message is viewed by the following methods: 1. Check the chat prompt status, "delivered" means that the message has arrived at the other party's device, provided that both parties enable the "message receipt"; 2. Observe the other party's online status, reply speed, avatar signature changes or withdrawal of messages to make speculations; 3. Indirectly test the reaction by pulling in group chat content, @ reminder or initiating video calls, etc. Although these methods are not absolutely accurate, they can improve judgment accuracy in combination.

If your WeChat account is blocked or has limited functions, it is usually because it violates community norms or usage rules. Common reasons include: 1. Send too many messages in a short period of time, especially mass marketing information or duplicate content; 2. Use unofficial plug-ins or automation tools, such as automatic reply, like-brushing software, etc.; 3. Reported by other users, such as complaints caused by harassment, inappropriate remarks or spam; 4. Account security abnormalities, such as logging in other places or equipment changes triggering the risk control mechanism. The response methods are to avoid mass sending, not use third-party tools, pay attention to words and deeds, and share content with caution, and bind mobile phone numbers and email addresses to improve security. If the error blocks are mistakenly blocked, please contact customer service to appeal, otherwise you usually have to wait 24 to 48 hours to lift the restrictions.

TotranslatemessagesinWeChat,usethebuilt-intranslationfeaturebylong-pressingamessageandselecting“Translate”.1.Long-pressanytextmessageinaone-on-oneorgroupchatandtap“Translate”fromthemenutotranslatemostcommonlanguageslikeEnglish,Chinese,Japanese,andKor

Yes,AmericanscanuseWeChatintheU.S.butwithlimitations.1.Mobilepaymentsandmini-programsrequireaChinesebankaccountorphonenumber.2.Contentfeedsmayloadslowerandshowlessrelevantcontent.3.DownloadingtheappispossibleviaAppStoreorGooglePlay.4.Signingupneedsav

To clear the cache of WeChat on your Android phone, you can use the following three steps: First, clear the cache in WeChat settings, open WeChat, go to "Me" > "Settings" > "General" > "Storage", click "Manage" next to "WeChat Files", and select "Clean" to delete temporary files; second, clean the application cache in Android system settings, go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "WeChat" > "Storage", and click "Clear cache" to delete system-level temporary data; finally, manage chat attachments separately, go to WeChat "Me" > "Settings" > "General" > "Storage", and click "Manage chat attachments", and you can sort by time and selectively delete old media files. Suggested for each

The size limit of WeChat sends files varies by scenario. 1. The maximum file sending in ordinary chats is 25MB, which exceeds the need to compress, split or share links with third-party tools; 2. FileHelper is also limited to 25MB, and it is recommended to upload the cloud disk and save it through the link; 3. The maximum file can be sent in WeCom (Enterprise WeChat), which is suitable for office use; 4. Voice messages are up to 3 hours, the pictures do not exceed 30MB, and short videos must be less than 25MB. High-definition videos are recommended to be compressed or sent through WeChat Moments. If you cannot send large files, you can choose WeCom or file sharing link to solve the problem.

WeChat occupies a large amount of storage space mainly because of media files, cached data, chat records and applet content. 1. Automatic download of media files leads to accumulation, especially in group chats, which are not easy to detect; 2. The cached data becomes redundant over time, including avatars, web pages and mini-program caches; 3. Long-term chat records and backups hide space, and forwarding messages and documents gradually accumulate; 4. Mini-programs and browsing content will also retain local data, adding additional burden. You can free up space by turning off automatic downloads, regularly cleaning caches, selectively deleting chat history, and managing applets.

You can use WeChat, but the functions are limited. 1. Core functions such as chat, voice and video calls, group chat (up to 500 people), circle of friends, etc. can be used normally; 2. Payment functions are limited, red envelopes are required to be recharged, and some offline payment and life services need to be bound to local bank cards; 3. Try to bind international credit cards or ask friends to pay on their behalf and other temporary solutions. Overall, short-term use can meet basic needs, but long-term life in China recommends opening a local bank account to unlock full functionality.
