Everything you need to know about WeChat safe

In this post, we will answer one question you may ask as a concerned parent: Is WeChat safe for your family particularly for your kids? In a world where cyber safety is fast becoming an issue of concern, it becomes very important that you realize the kind of apps your kids are exposed to. The mega-popular social network WeChat has become a victim of geopolitics, which attracted users’ concerns over privacy and security. It is canter that the app has over a billion users meaning the app is popular but what does being popular mean for its safety? Alright, welcome to learn everything you want to know about WeChat, its safety mechanisms, and ways to stay safe for you and your close ones.

Is WeChat safe?

When providing access to a set of services and accumulating considerable quantities of user information, WeChat is just like many other IT platforms. But it goes even further in agreeing with Chinese regulations to allow for monitoring and passing information to the Chinese authorities. This can be worrisome to WeChat user safety outside China especially when privacy is a major concern among others.

Data collection and its relation to privacy.

WeChat collects extensive data, including:

• Location tracking: Your GPS information is also available in the app.

• Personal information: You also leave your name, telephone number, and contacts on the app.
• User activity: Your browsing history and interactions with the applications within WeChat may be saved.

For these reasons, certain countries like India have had to flat-out block the app citing definite privacy and security concerns. If privacy and control over data is your issue, then the information stored by WeChat does not work according to many Western user’s expectations.

Government surveillance

The standard operating procedure with Chinese laws is an aspect that makes WeChat users’ data vulnerable to the Chinese government in case of deemed necessity. This raises true WeChat privacy concerns more so for individuals who are not residents of China and who never anticipate such intrusion. This aspect of WeChat is unique from other apps in that, generally, privacy is not so easily dismissed.

Is WeChat safe to use?

Even though WeChat features that make it gaining popularity in the market, there is a basic issue on its security measures because it does not use strong encryption as other messaging apps. While nowadays most applications such as WhatsApp or Signal provide end-to-end encryption by default, WeChat fails to do that.

Here are some key points to consider when determining if WeChat is safe for everyday use:

• End-to-End Encryption: Unfortunately, WeChat does not provide this by default, thus your messages may be seen by third parties.
• Permissions: Here we are going to know the amount of personal information WeChat requires – your contacts, and your position.
• Security Features: Although WeChat allows users to set passwords and even regain their accounts in the event of a loss of data, this is inadequate security for your data if compromised.

WeChat is good to use as an adult and some of the measures make it relatively safe. By avoiding the disclosure of a lot of information concerning a person’s life and by observing the privacy measures, one is safe. It is important, though, to keep in mind what protective measures it is devoid of in comparison with, for instance, Telegram.

Is WeChat safe for kids?

As a parent, the big question is: is WeChat safe for kids? The short answer is no unless strongly supervised by the parents. Youngsters are more susceptible to attacks online, and there are features that WeChat has that may make it quite unsafe for children.

Why WeChat may not be safe for kids?

• Requests from strangers. Any person can add your kid as a friend within the WeChat app. Moreover,  predators and pedophiles often rely on these platforms to target unsuspecting kids. So, you’ll have to ensure that your child can’t get messages from any stranger within the app.
• In-App Purchases. It has features through which transactions of a financial nature can be made and this makes it easy for children to begin making those transactions they would not understand the impacts of.
• Exposure to Harmful Content. Like most applications, WeChat does not have rigid measures to prevent young people from viewing obscene or other material in conversations or feeds.
• Lack of Monitoring. Unfortunately, WeChat is not very parental control friendly which means parents would have a hard time regulating their children’s WeChat use without additional software.

What you can do?

• Parental Controls. One of the examples is FlashGet Kids which serves as a parental control app and which can be used to monitor your child’s activity on WeChat. They enable you to set the timeframe and control the applications, select the unwanted contacts, and set the restricted access to the application’s purchases.

• Limit Access. Control with whom your child interacts by adjusting the privacy features that are available in the application.

• Educate Your Kids. It is also important to explain to children the risks inherent in such communication. It is forbidden to discuss personal information with other people.

Is WeChat safe to pay?

WeChat Pay is one of its critically important facilities offered to buyers and sellers to use for payment of commodities and services online and offline. WeChat Pay is one of its critically important facilities offered to buyers and sellers to use for payment of commodities and services online. Though, is WeChat secure to pay with? Yes, there are security measures put into practice, but as for privacy and personal data gathering – controversies remain.

WeChat security features:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). For additional security, owners of WeChat utilize aspects such as touch ID or face ID among others.
• Transaction Limits. A daily transaction limit can be placed or used to ensure that an account will not be used to make unauthorized purchases.
• WeChat Data Protection. WeChat expressed to possess encryption in handling payment information, but the application gathers a great deal of personal and financial data.

These features are comforting but due to the extensive collection of data by the WeChat account security, it is wise not to interconnect your financial details to WeChat.

Is it safe to put a credit card on WeChat?

Although WeChat Pay is easy to use, there is a danger in putting your credit card details on the link. Passwords and built-in biometric recognition, which the application uses are quite secure. However, breaches are always a possibility and WeChat is notorious for data collection creating an even bigger chance of you falling victim to a scam.

Tips for safe use:

• Use Strong Passwords. Always set a good and new WeChat password that cannot be easily guessed by someone else.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication. To avoid unauthorized access to the account it is advised to always use two-factor authentication.
• Monitor Your Transactions. It’s wise to monitor your account regularly and look out for any kind of fraudulent transactions from the records maintained by your bank.

Why is WeChat asking for credit card information?

If WeChat is asking for your credit card details then it is probably to access WeChat Pay. This makes it possible for you to buy goods and services, transfer funds, and even many other options. However, do not disclose lots of financial information unless you are applying a feature that needs it.

To confirm some activities, for instance, donating or subscribing to the WeChat paid services, WeChat may request credit card information. Before giving out this information always ask whether the service is needed and what you are subscribing to.

Which countries blocked WeChat?

Some issues causing controversies in WeChat are issues related to data harvesting and government-related compliance. Several countries have imposed bans or restrictions on the app:

• India. Also in 2020, India was among the countries to annul WeChat together with some other Chinese apps citing profound security risks and privacy insults.
• United States. The US has weighed the options of a total ban on WeChat over what it terms security and political ties to Beijing.

Such actions are typical of global doubts over how WeChat treats user data while other queries concerning its safety further arise, especially for users outside of China.

What are the risks of using WeChat?

There are several risks associated with using WeChat which is not one of the secure messaging apps, including:

• Privacy Violations. The app may also share all kinds of personal data provided by the user with the authorities.
• Cybersecurity Threats. Similar to any app that contains a payment option, WeChat falls prey to hackers and scammers.
• Inadequate Messaging Security. If an app does not have end-to-end encryption then someone else should be able to have a look at what you are sending to each other.

Social media apps such as Signal or Telegram have better functions of privacy compared to WeChat where the app takes less measure in protecting users’ information.

Which is better, WeChat or WhatsApp?

Compliance risks: WhatsApp vs. WeChat

• WeChat. Higher worry about censorship and with particular reference to the Chinese law on the rights of citizens.

• WhatsApp. However, unlike WeChat, WhatsApp has come under scrutiny over privacy policies but its end-to-end encryption will shield more from surveillance.

How do I stay safe on WeChat?

To ensure you and your family remain safe while using WeChat, follow these WeChat safe use tips:

• Adjust Privacy Settings. Limit the list of users who can access your Moments and the people who are free to message you.

• Monitor Payments. Always open your WeChat Pay transactions and ensure you set up some very strict measures on them.

• Use Parental Controls. Parents should install WeChat and subsequently monitor their child’s activity through requesting apps such as FlashGet Kids. This will help protect them from viewing unpleasant content and to avoid contact with strangers.
• Avoid Sharing Personal Information. Do not put any personal information including passwords, addresses, or bank details through the application.
• Regularly Update the App. Use the latest version of WeChat to get protection features in the latest version.

Conclusion

So, is WeChat safe? On the upside the app in the works can have a range of convenient and good-use functions, however, there are critical issues of privacy and security. It is I think widely known that being a parent entails having to know one’s risks especially where the safety of children is concerned. With parental controls, changing privacy settings, and being careful with the information shared on WeChat – it is safe to use. To safely ensure your family’s privacy, do not confine yourself to using the app, be active in learning its pitfalls.