Source: OT-Team(G)，文汇报
On April 9, the hashtag #Tencent Customer Service Responds To WeChat Read Receipts climbed China's trending topics list, sparking lively discussion among netizens.
Users Voice Concerns
Thousands of users chimed in on the possibility of read receipts and visitor tracking being introduced to WeChat. Many expressed strong opposition, arguing that such features could expose users' reading status and browsing activity, leading to increased social anxiety and pressure.
"Sometimes I just need time to think before replying. If someone sees I've read their message but haven't responded, that could create unnecessary tension," one user wrote.
The read receipt function would indicate whether a message has been seen by the recipient—similar to features on WhatsApp or Instagram. The visitor tracking feature, which some platforms use, shows who has viewed a user's profile or content, raising further concerns about privacy and passive social monitoring.
Tencent's Official Response
In response to the public speculation, Tencent's customer service clarified that WeChat currently does not offer a read receipt function.
Zhang Jun, Tencent's Director of Public Relations, also addressed the issue directly, stating:
"This is not a new topic. I remember a similar trending discussion back in July 2023, and our position remains the same:
'Read receipts add psychological burden and social pressure to message recipients. That's why WeChat has firmly refused to implement such a feature from the very beginning—and we won't be adding it in the future.'"
What Do You Think?
Would you want to know if someone has read your message—or prefer to keep things more private? How would visitor records change the way you use WeChat or other social apps?
Let us know your thoughts.
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