Update: WeChat Expands Public Account Services
Sina Tech, 10/29/13
Chinese internet and mobile services firm Tencent (0700.HK) has announced upgrade features for public account operators on the company's WeChat (Weixin) mobile messaging application, as well as a simpler method for WeChat service accounts to receive "verified" status on the platform. Verified status, which confirms account operator identities and commonly leads to increased account traffic, can now be applied for through third-party account verification services at a fee of RMB 300 per year. In addition, WeChat has opened 9 premium API ports to verified accounts, providing services such as: voice recognition, customer service, OAuth 2.0 website authorization, QR code generation, user location tracking, obtaining users' basic information, list of public account subscribers, connection by user group, and the uploading and downloading of multimedia files.
The newly opened premium API ports will first be provided to service accounts, which may only be operated by enterprises or organizations. WeChat has stated that, in order to properly certify the validity of public accounts, the company has partnered with third-party account verification providers, which will access official documentation from government bureaus, such as China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce, as well as contact the legal representative of companies in order to certify their legitimacy. Thus, a RMB 300 fee is assessed to public account holders to meet the costs of the third-party verification process. After the verification process is complete, public account users may immediately access the aforementioned premium API ports.
The latest version of the WeChat public accounts platform has also added a developer Q&A system, allowing for collaborative interaction between developers. The WeChat public accounts page has also undergone over 300 separate optimizations.
Editor's Note: Previously, public account operators could only receive "verified" status by linking previously verified microblogging accounts. For more background on this topic, please see "Rumor: WeChat to Expand Public Account API Access" MD 10/29/13 issue.
Keywords: Internet wireless Tencent API 0700.HK WeChat mobile IM verification
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