WeChat's Surprising Move: Blocking Red Packet Codes – Even Its Own
WeChat Restricts Red Packet Code Sharing – Including Its Own
The annual Lunar New Year "red envelope war" among China's tech giants took an unexpected turn this week. Just as Alibaba's AI assistant Qwen launched a wildly popular "3 billion yuan free shopping" campaign, users discovered they couldn't share the promotional codes where it matters most – on WeChat.
The Copy-Paste Conundrum
Multiple users reported that when attempting to copy Qwen's red envelope codes containing the phrase "more information," WeChat mysteriously disabled the copy function. What makes this particularly noteworthy? The restriction isn't limited to competitors' apps.
"We tested Tencent's own Yuanbao app codes in WeChat," explains tech analyst Li Wei. "Same result – no copying allowed. It seems WeChat is enforcing platform consistency, even at its own expense."
Traffic Wars Heat Up
The timing couldn't be more significant. With:
- Qwen's campaign generating 5 million orders in just 5 hours
- The app rocketing to top of Apple's App Store charts
- Lunar New Year gifting season approaching
the inability to share codes via China's dominant messaging platform creates serious friction for users hoping to cash in on holiday promotions.
Platform Politics
This incident highlights growing tensions in China's walled-garden internet ecosystem. While companies compete fiercely with splashy campaigns offering billions in rewards, fundamental access issues persist.
"The real battle isn't about who offers bigger red envelopes anymore," notes digital marketing professor Chen Ying. "It's about who controls the pipes through which these promotions flow."
As of publication time, WeChat parent company Tencent had not responded to requests for comment regarding these restrictions.
Key Points:
- WeChat blocks copying of certain red packet codes, including from its own Yuanbao app
- Alibaba's Qwen campaign affected despite massive popularity (5M orders in 5 hours)
- No official explanation yet from Tencent about the restrictions
- Holiday traffic wars intensify as platforms balance openness with control
