Why Does Elon Musk Want X to Emulate China's Everything-App?

In a recent move, Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X, signaling his intention to transform the social media platform into something much larger. This step is part of his plan to emulate the success of the Chinese mega app, WeChat. Musk has been vocal about his admiration for WeChat, often referring to it as an "everything app" that seamlessly combines chat, dating, payments, and social media. He believes that achieving something similar with Twitter would be a massive success.

WeChat, launched by tech giant Tencent in 2011, has become an integral part of the lives of almost all of China's 1.4 billion people. It goes beyond being a super-app; it offers a wide range of services, including messaging, voice and video calling, social media, food delivery, mobile payments, games, news, and even dating. WeChat is like a combination of WhatsApp, Facebook, Apple Pay, Uber, Amazon, Tinder, and much more, all rolled into one.

This app is so deeply ingrained in Chinese society that living in China without it is nearly impossible. The various interfaces for its different features, such as "Chats" and "Moments," are distinct. What started as a messaging platform has evolved into a comprehensive app that caters to almost every aspect of daily life in China.

WeChat's "Wallet" feature is widely used and allows users to link debit and credit cards. It is accepted in most shops and online retailers in China, where users scan QR codes to make payments. Additionally, people can pay bills, make investments, and even take out loans through WeChat. Government services are also integrated into the app, enabling users to check social security information, pay fines, and book hospital appointments.

However, having so many features on one app does have some downsides. WeChat consumes a significant portion of a phone's memory, and its widespread use has raised concerns about government censorship, surveillance, and privacy issues. China's strict control over the internet makes it dangerous for users to speak out against the government on WeChat, and dissenting voices often face suspensions or shutdowns.

Despite its success in China, emulating WeChat's achievements in the West may present challenges. WeChat's triumph in China is attributed to factors like its dominance on smartphones rather than desktop computers and the lack of competition regulation in the country. These conditions allowed WeChat to effectively block rival platforms, ensuring its continued growth.

To make a similar app work outside China, Musk needs to consider factors such as digital payments. WeChat's integration of social media with digital payments has been a key element of its success in China. However, the widespread adoption of digital payment technology in the West may take time, posing potential obstacles to Musk's ambitions.

Ultimately, Musk's vision for X as an all-encompassing platform is ambitious, and its success will depend on various factors, including how well it can adapt to the preferences and technological landscape of the Western market. As Musk continues to shape X into his vision of an "everything app," the tech world eagerly awaits the outcome of his grand experiment.