WeChat Receives Global TRUSTe Certification

Seal accreditation part of commitment to privacy and security

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Jan 06, 2014, 09:00 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- WeChat, the leading mobile social communication application for smartphones, and TRUSTe®, a leading global Data Privacy Management (DPM) company that provides privacy assessments, certifications, monitoring tools, and compliance controls, jointly announced today that WeChat and its website have been certified by TRUSTe.

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The announcement is part of WeChat's ongoing commitment to online privacy, transparency and consumer choice. WeChat is now the most popular mobile social communication app in the world to receive this certification.

TRUSTe powers trusted relationships between users and service providers. The TRUSTe Certified Privacy Seal granted to WeChat and its website (www.wechat.com) proves WeChat's operation has fulfilled the TRUSTe Program Requirements by providing high level protection for user privacy to safeguard user information.

According to the TRUSTe Privacy Index 2013, 78 percent of smartphone users will not download an app that they do not trust[1], indicating the increasing concern of users on smartphone privacy. WeChat takes user privacy and data protection seriously and provides comprehensive privacy features and customizable security levels. The certification covers WeChat in five different mobile operating systems (Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian and Windows Phone) and testifies to WeChat′s promise to protect personal privacy.

"Consumers are becoming increasingly savvy and concerned about what personal information companies are collecting about them and how it is being used," said Chris Babel, CEO of TRUSTe. "With 78% unwilling to download an app they don't trust, strong data privacy management practices are essential for any business looking to take advantage of new opportunities on mobile while building trust and protecting their brand."

"By achieving TRUSTe certification, WeChat is demonstrating to millions of global users a clear commitment to privacy and transparency about how data is collected and used within the app. TRUSTe is the number one global privacy brand so displaying the Certified Privacy Seal within WeChat and its website can help to increase trust and support WeChat's growth in wider international markets," added Babel.

"This is a true milestone for WeChat," said Poshu Yeung, Vice President of the International Business Group at Tencent, the company behind the WeChat app. "WeChat has more than 100 million registered user accounts around the globe and is revolutionizing the way people communicate in their daily lives by providing a completely unique experience. Now with TRUSTe certification, WeChat users can have peace-of-mind knowing their data is well protected when they are keeping in touch with friends, meeting new people and having fun with WeChat."

About WeChat
WeChat is an innovative mobile social communications application designed for smartphone users. WeChat is free for download from app stores running on Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian and Windows Phone operating systems*. It is the most downloaded mobile social app in many markets with more than 100 million registered accounts in international markets.

WeChat users can add friends via a wide range of innovative actions and methods, including scanning QR codes, connecting users' phone books and activating location-based functions such as "People Nearby" and "Shake". The platform enhances social interaction by supporting exchanging of text, voice and video, stickers, and photos with their friends over data networks or under Wi-Fi environments. Users can choose to communicate one-on-one, or within their closed social network through "Moments".

WeChat also comes with comprehensive privacy setting functions, which enables user to tailor their security level as needed.

For more details and application download, please visit www.wechat.com

*Some features are limited to certain operating systems due to the product development cycle.

Webpage: http://www.wechat.com

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/WeChatHK

About TRUSTe
TRUSTe is the leading global Data Privacy Management (DPM) company and powers trust in the data economy by enabling businesses to safely collect and use customer data across web, mobile, cloud and advertising channels. Our cloud-based Data Privacy Management Platform delivers innovative technology products, including website monitoring and advertising compliance controls – along with privacy assessments and certifications.

More than 5,000 companies worldwide, including Apple, Disney, eBay, Forbes, LinkedIn and Oracle rely on our DPM platform and globally recognized Certified Privacy Seal to protect/enhance their brand, drive user engagement and minimize compliance risk. For more information, please see http://www.truste.com

[1] TRUSTe Privacy Index 2013: http://www.truste.com/us-mobile-privacy-index-2013/

SOURCE TRUSTe