Weibo users chatting up WeChat now subject to silencing

Sina Weibo announced this week that user accounts on its microblogging service that promote rival messaging network WeChat (Weixin) could be frozen or even shuttered, Tech In Asia reported, citing local media. Sina is also encouraging users to report other users they see violating this policy, according to local online tech news outfit Techweb. Some analysts see the move as retribution for a change WeChat made earlier this week that blocked some functionality of the cab-hailing app Kuaidi Dache, which shares an investor with Sina in Tencent rival Alibaba.