Tencent operates WeChat, which launched in 2011 as a messaging app.
WeChat was developed by Tencent and released in January 2011 under the Chinese name Weixin. It began with text and voice messaging, then expanded into social feeds, payments, mini-programs, games, and business services. Outside China, the service is commonly known by the name WeChat.
Tencent was founded in 1998 by Pony Ma, Zhang Zhidong, Xu Cheney, Chen Yidan, and Zeng Liqing. Its earlier major product was QQ, an instant-messaging service that helped Tencent build a large internet user base.
Tencent’s businesses include online games, social networks, digital content, advertising, and cloud services. WeChat is not the same product as WhatsApp, although both are widely used messaging platforms with features beyond basic text communication.