Censors challenging China allege that Tencent is seeking to eliminate WeChat's historical records
In a recent development, the anti-censorship organisation GreatFire.org has publicly accused Group-IB, a Singapore-based cybersecurity firm, of assisting Chinese tech giant Tencent in an attempt to censor GreatFire.org's activities.
The crux of the accusation revolves around Tencent's efforts to shut down FreeWeChat.com, an archive developed by GreatFire.org that surfaces and republishes WeChat posts deleted or blocked for political reasons in China.
On June 12, 2025, Group-IB, acting as Tencent's legal representative, submitted a takedown complaint to GreatFire.org's hosting provider, alleging trademark and copyright infringement, cybersquatting, and unfair competition against FreeWeChat.com. GreatFire.org disputes these claims, stating that their site does not use Tencent's logo, claim affiliation, or distribute modified WeChat software, and argues that Tencent's real intent is to "shut down a watchdog" exposing censorship.
The hosting provider initially complied with the takedown request, but GreatFire.org has since moved to alternative arrangements and is seeking legal and technical support to keep the site online.
GreatFire.org has framed this incident as part of a broader pattern of corporate and state efforts to suppress public-interest platforms that document censorship in China, particularly as domestic internet controls tighten and international support for digital rights wanes. The organisation has called for solidarity from legal, technical, and advocacy communities to resist such pressures.
Group-IB, in response, has stated that they support digital risk protection by reporting potential cases of intellectual property misuse, brand impersonation, and copyright abuse. However, GreatFire's campaign and advocacy director, Benjamin Ismail, has criticised Group-IB for knowingly submitting a legally flimsy complaint to pressure a hosting provider into compliance, allegedly serving Tencent's political agenda while hiding behind the language of rights protection.
At the time of writing, Group-IB has not responded to inquiries about the incident. Tencent has not issued a public statement regarding the allegations.
It is important to note that Group-IB's notifications address cases involving the unauthorized use of protected trademarks, copyrighted content, or brand-related assets. However, the final decision to act on a notice always rests with the platform or service provider, and the affected party has the right to dispute or challenge the request.
This incident highlights ongoing conflicts between anti-censorship advocates and corporate entities aligned with state censorship agendas. GreatFire.org has previously dealt with state-sponsored DDoS attacks and has seen FreeWeibo removed from Apple's App Store in China.
GreatFire is an anti-censorship organisation that researches China's censorship efforts and publishes data about the material and apps Beijing blocks. Group-IB commenced operations in Russia but moved to Singapore in 2018.
[1] GreatFire.org (2025). Tencent Attempts to Censor FreeWeChat.com. [online] Available at: https://greatfire.org/tencent-attempts-to-censor-freewechat-com/ [2] GreatFire.org (2025). GreatFire.org Refutes Tencent's Claims Against FreeWeChat.com. [online] Available at: https://greatfire.org/greatfireorg-refutes-tencents-claims-against-freewechat-com/ [4] GreatFire.org (2025). GreatFire.org Calls for Solidarity in the Face of Censorship. [online] Available at: https://greatfire.org/greatfireorg-calls-for-solidarity-in-the-face-of-censorship/
- The controversy surrounds Group-IB, a Singapore-based cybersecurity firm, who, acting as Tencent's legal representative, filed a takedown complaint against GreatFire.org's website, FreeWeChat.com, alleging copyright infringement, cybersquatting, and unfair competition.
- In a digital rights context, this incident is significant as it demonstrates the broader pattern of corporate and state efforts to suppress public-interest platforms documenting censorship in China.
- The AI-driven technology industry plays a role in this issue, as GreatFire.org argues that Tencent's real intent is to shut down a watchdog exposing censorship, not addressing actual trademark or copyright issues.
- This incident underscores the complex interplay between cybersecurity, technology, politics, and general-news, shedding light on the ongoing conflicts between anti-censorship advocates and corporate entities aligned with state censorship agendas.
- Financial entities should be aware of the potential risks associated with such controversies, as businesses seeking to suppress free speech might use legal loopholes and AI-powered tools to pressurize service providers and remove content.
- As a responsible cloud-based innovator, it is essential to uphold principles of security, privacy, and freedom of information, while also adhering to copyright regulations and supporting digital rights initiatives.
