WeChat's platform expansion and integration within China's internet ecosystem (2010–2022)

1. Weixin (WeChat) launches as a messaging app

   Jan 21, 2011Labels: Weixin, Tencent

   • Britannica
   • WeChat Wiki
   • TheNextWeb

2. WeChat introduces Public Accounts for publishing

   Jan 1, 2012Labels: Public Accounts, Publishers

   • Citizen Lab
   • Harvard D3

3. Weixin is rebranded as WeChat internationally

   Jan 1, 2012Labels: Weixin, WeChat

   • Britannica
   • WeChat Wiki
   • Forbes

4. Moments social feed launches in WeChat 4.0

   Apr 19, 2012Labels: Moments, WeChat

   • Moments Wiki
   • ChinaDaily
   • USC Annenberg

5. WeChat passes 300 million registered users

   Jan 16, 2013Labels: WeChat, User Base

   • TheNextWeb
   • Forbes

6. WeChat Pay launches as an in-app wallet

   Aug 5, 2013Labels: WeChat Pay, Wallet

   • WeChat Pay Wiki
   • WeChat Pay

7. WeChat Pay expands through QR-based offline payments

   Jan 1, 2014Labels: WeChat Pay, QR Codes

   • Citizen Lab
   • PR Newswire

8. Digital red envelopes popularize peer-to-peer payments

   Jan 17, 2014Labels: Digital Hongbao, WeChat

   • Red Envelope Wiki
   • PR Newswire
   • WeChat Wiki

9. WeCom launches to connect work and consumer messaging

   Jan 1, 2016Labels: WeCom, Enterprise WeChat

   • WeChat Wiki

10. WeChat launches Mini Programs inside the app

    Jan 9, 2017Labels: Mini Programs, WeChat

    • TechCrunch
    • Mini Programs ZH
    • Forbes

11. China’s Cybersecurity Law takes effect

    Jun 1, 2017Labels: Cybersecurity Law, China Government

    • Cybersecurity Law

12. Data Security Law takes effect, strengthening data rules

    Sep 1, 2021Labels: Data Security, Regulation

    • DSL Wiki
    • China Briefing

13. Personal Information Protection Law takes effect

    Nov 1, 2021Labels: PIPL, Personal Data

    • PIPL Wiki

14. WeChat begins showing user location on public posts

    Apr 29, 2022Labels: Location Display, WeChat

    • WeChat Wiki
    • Reuters