KUALA LUMPUR: The usage of mobile social communication app WeChat has risen 60 per cent in Malaysia since 2015, according to GlobalWebIndex (GWI).
GWI, which studies digital consumer behaviours and trends, also found that between the first half of 2015 and the first half of 2016, WeChat has almost doubled its usage rates in Asia Pacific outside of China.
“We were impressed, but not surprised, by WeChat’s impressive growth across APAC. The versatility of the service, which extends far beyond messaging, makes WeChat a popular choice in many diverse markets,” Chief Research Officer at GWI Jason Mander said in a statement today.
GWI’s report found that WeChat’s growth has been particularly strong in South Korea (up more than 300 per cent), the Philippines (up 150 per cent) and Indonesia (up 79 per cent) and it is also the fastest growing messaging app in Australia, where it has grown 284 per cent.
Meanwhile, WeChat said it is committed to building a robust eco-system by bringing together user-centric features from messaging, gaming, entertainment and media content to payment.
“WeChat provides a safe, interactive and seamless experience with comprehensive privacy and security settings that can be tailored as needed,” said Vice President, International Business of Tencent, Poshu Yeung.
WeChat is China-based Tencent’s flagship app. --BERNAMA