Has Your WeChat Pay Stopped Working? Here’s What To Do

Beijing-based expats have reported that a new level of verification on WeChat is blocking their transactions. The notification, which appears to have been rolled out on Monday (Mar 18), requests that the users input valid ID information if they want to transfer money using the app, pay Didi fares, or use near field communications (NFC) transactions that total over RMB 50.

If you “refuse” to verify your account, WeChat will send this message (unofficial translation):

WeChat Pay Account Restriction Notice

You cannot use the WeChat Pay function via your account. Please upload your ID information.

Restriction begins: (time when WeChat sends you the message)
Restriction reason: According to regulations, you need more ID information.

The move is seen by some as a way to introduce tighter controls on digital payments among foreign users of the app, bringing them in line with those applied to Chinese users, who have needed to input their ID information for some time. Although the new regulations have yet to affect all users, it is likely to be the beginning of a slow rollout that will eventually encompass everyone, similar to pretty much every other WeChat updates that we seen in the past.

Luckily, updating your information is easy (though that may not make you any less reluctant to do it). Here's how:

• Step 1: Fill in your information, including valid ID details (in this case, your passport number) and mobile number.
• Step 2: Upload a photo of your ID.
• Step 3: Upload a photo of yourself. There isn’t a clear requirement for the "Photo of You,” so we uploaded a passport photo just to be safe.
• Step 4: Click “Submit.” It took less than 5 seconds for customer service to process our details, allowing us to continue to use WeChat Pay function as if nothing happened.

What exactly are the "local regulations?"

In usual vague fashion, WeChat has not detailed what it means by “local regulations.” However, it may be that they're related to new laws implemented by the People’s Bank of China earlier this year, requiring WeChat and Alipay to list larger transactions, citing “gray areas” in mobile transactions in the e-commerce industry.

The People’s Bank of China also issued a notice that requires non-banking institutions to report large transactions. Specifically, if the amount of a single transaction via WeChat and Alipay exceeds RMB 50,000 (or the foreign exchange exceeds USD 10,000), they must be cleared by the authorities.

What does this mean for your data?

We’re still trying to figure that out. Calls to WeChat’s service hotline have been met with automated responses and there seem to be no other channels for communication. It is important to note that WeChat probably already has the information you need to provide since you've already verified your WeChat account using your mobile number, which in turn is linked to your passport and banking information.

Mike Shaw, a global communications strategist with PR Newswire Asia, says that though spending 30 seconds to fill in the necessary information is not a big inconvenience, it highlights another risk: "With every new regulation or ministry/agency that has oversight over transactions or access to capital flows, that’s one more lever that the government can pull at any time to make life difficult for foreigners here."

He adds, “That may not be something that they are likely to do, but who knows what future circumstances will be like, or if the incentives for the government change?”

READ: 6 Lesser Known WeChat Functions You Need in Your Life

Additional reporting by Kyle Mullin. Translation by Grace Zhang.
A version of this article originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.

Photo: Yahoo