Refer China: Tencent Removes Chat Export Tools ： Who Controls Your Data?

Tencent issued DMCA takedowns on GitHub, targeting open-source projects that allowed exporting or analyzing WeChat chats. The company claims these tools bypass encryption, violate terms, and risk user privacy. Critics argue this challenges user data sovereignty, sparking debate over digital ownership and security.

Tencent Says No to Chat Export—Do You Really Own Your Data?

Recently, Tencent submitted a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaint to GitHub, the world's largest code hosting platform, requesting the removal of more than 30 repositories. These open-source projects allegedly enabled users to export or analyze their own WeChat chat records. The takedown even included small-scale repositories used for personal data management or technical research.

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On January 22, Tencent responded to media inquiries stating that many of the targeted tools had bypassed WeChat's encryption by reverse engineering the client and cracking its local database keys. Tencent emphasized that such actions not only violate its software terms by circumventing security measures, but also pose serious risks to user privacy and data security. These tools could be exploited by malicious actors, making them a threat beyond just personal use.

The DMCA, enacted in the U.S. in 1998, is a foundational law for protecting digital copyrights and is widely used by internet platforms to address intellectual property concerns.

Tencent claimed its actions were in accordance with legal regulations and received support from GitHub. Most of the developers involved have since voluntarily removed their code, and GitHub is reportedly clearing derivative forks as well.

Among the removed projects was "WeChat Clean", which aimed to help users export or clean their chat records and cache data to manage storage and regain control over personal information. Critics of the takedown argued it raised questions about "user data sovereignty," claiming users should have rights over their own information.

Previously, in April 2023, the WeChat Security Center had issued a public warning against third-party tools that marketed themselves as AI-based chat managers but bypassed WeChat's security measures. Tencent maintained that chat records are private and are not stored on their servers—only on user devices—so any unauthorized access through third-party tools could endanger user safety.

While Tencent insists it is safeguarding user interests, the controversy has sparked a broader debate on digital ownership, privacy rights, and the line between security and control in personal data usage.

Source: 南方都市报, IT之家