Why some of Tencent’s WeChat users are feeling locked out of an online life

Even those Internet users who know censorship well have found it hard to cope as the state

For the past four years, Mr Cao’s social life has revolved around a single app.

Like many other Chinese, he rarely makes phone calls. The 60-year-old retiree keeps in touch with his friends and family on WeChat – the hugely popular social app that does everything from instant messaging to food ordering to cab hailing.