WeChat's Red Packet Code Crackdown Sparks Controversy
WeChat's Surprising Move in the Red Packet Wars
The annual Lunar New Year "red envelope" battle between China's tech giants took an unexpected turn this week as users discovered they could no longer copy promotional codes within WeChat - including those from WeChat's own parent company Tencent.
Alibaba's Blocked Bonuses
Alibaba's AI assistant Qwen launched a massively popular "3 billion yuan free shopping" campaign on February 6th. The promotion proved so successful that:
- It processed over 5 million orders within just 5 hours
- The Qwen app shot to the top of Apple's App Store free charts
However, users quickly hit a snag when trying to share their red packet codes through WeChat. Multiple reports confirm that when codes contain the phrase "more information," long-pressing no longer shows the copy option - effectively cutting off WeChat's powerful social sharing network.
Even Tencent Isn't Spared
In a surprising twist, testing revealed that Tencent's own Yuanbao AI app faces identical restrictions within WeChat. This apparent lack of preferential treatment for its corporate sibling has left many observers puzzled.
"It's like seeing McDonald's refuse to sell its own fries," remarked one tech analyst who asked not to be named. "You have to wonder what internal discussions led to this decision."
The Bigger Picture
The timing couldn't be more significant. With Lunar New Year approaching:
- Companies are shifting focus from sheer giveaway amounts to fundamental user access points
- Platform openness becomes crucial for consumers hoping to collect rewards across different apps
- WeChat remains China's dominant social platform despite growing competition
The restriction raises important questions about fair competition and consumer choice during what has become China's most intense annual tech battleground.
Key Points:
- WeChat appears to be blocking red packet code copying for multiple apps, including Tencent-owned Yuanbao
- Alibaba's Qwen promotion saw massive early success before hitting the sharing roadblock The move comes as tech companies intensify their Lunar New Year marketing battles The restriction highlights ongoing tensions around platform openness in China's walled-garden internet ecosystem
