Recently, some users discovered that WeChat is currently conducting a limited test of a 'Footprints' feature. Many netizens expressed concern that WeChat might support visitor tracking, leading the related topic to quickly trend on Weibo.
In response, an inquiry was made to Tencent's customer service, which stated, "The Footprints feature is undergoing a limited test on the iOS client, primarily targeting active users who have updated to newer versions (such as iOS 8.0.73). Users on other operating systems or versions cannot experience this feature at this time."
Tencent's customer service emphasized, "WeChat does not currently have a visitor tracking feature. All current functionalities are designed with user privacy protection as a priority."
Regarding the purpose of the 'Footprints' feature, Tencent's customer service explained, "The Footprints feature aims to enhance user social interaction by enriching message notifications with elements like profile pictures. This function is still in the testing phase, and its specific display format will be continuously optimized based on user feedback. Meanwhile, WeChat consistently adheres to strict privacy protection principles, with all feature designs prioritizing the security of user information."