CUHK instructor triggers backlash over WeChat attendance registration policy

A department at Hong Kong’s second-oldest university has faced a backlash over asking students to use mainland Chinese messaging app WeChat to register their attendance and keep its location services enabled, later saying the decision was optional.

The new policy was revealed after a screenshot of an email from the information engineering department at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) was posted to social media platform Threads on Friday.

“Starting from the next class, attendance will be recorded by scanning a QR code through WeChat. Please install the WeChat app and enable location services before coming to class.”