Communication Design Quarterly Jan 2016

The communication design of WeChat

Xiaobo Wang ; Baotong Gu

Abstract

In this paper, the authors discuss how the technical and ideological design of WeChat, a social media platform, enables the free flow of information within the context of heavy Internet policing and surveillance in the People's Republic of China. Through a case study of two instances of grassroots and social activism, the authors highlight how three unique features of WeChat---Moments, Friends' Circle, and Share to---enhance privacy and security issues related to information dissemination. In both cases examined here, the unique design of certain WeChat features enhanced privacy and security in ways that allowed for the free dissemination of information and public involvement through social media. In examining these cases, this study represents one of the first attempts to use a Chinese social media app to examine technology design within a particular political and social context. The authors hope the results of this study will further our understanding of the reciprocal relationship between technology, design, and the social context in which technologies are used.

Journal
Communication Design Quarterly
Published
2016-01-08
DOI
10.1145/2875501.2875503
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Topics
qualitative research multimodality social media

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Miller et al. (2020)
    Social media in professional, technical, and scientific communication programs
    Communication Design Quarterly

Cites in this index (1)

  1. Getto et al. (2015)
    Designing globally, working locally
    Communication Design Quarterly
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CrossRef global citation count: 28 View in citation network →

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