China’s most popular social platform is implementing new rules to protect user privacy and optimize the external link experience. The move is a part of WeChat’s wider privacy overhaul which comes amid increasing scrutiny around data privacy. Just four days ago, EU’s new data regulation law GDPR came into effect. However, the new rules introduced by WeChat are limited in scope and focus on data leaks and IP rights for content producers.
IP is a pain point for content producers on WeChat’s platform. This week, Tencent landed itself in hot water after investing in a WeChat self-media account that’s been accused of plagiarism. The account called Chaping (差评), literally Bad Reviews, announced it will return the RMB 30 million ($4.7 million) funding.
The new rules also aim to further regulate external link sharing in the platform which already has quite strict rules. The new rules (our translation below) come into effect May 29:
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