Does anyone else find a Chinese business ops/comms platform problematic? While it might be a solid competitor (technically), I have an inherent distrust from a country without freedom of expression and a knack for industrial espionage. I can't imagine non-Chinese firms really seeing this as a legitimate competitor for those reasons alone.

Totally agree. That said, WikiLeaks has shown that the US regularly shares global industrial espionage with US companies.

The strong do what they can, the weak what they must.

Do you have a link to that? Cuz most of what I see in leaks is evidence of spying but not giving I.P. to contractors. I'm curious to see what you have.

It is important to note that everybody is using Wechat in China. From the colleague, work relations, landlord, to the convenience store around the corner. Not sharing the phone number but only Wechat is quite popular.

Anyway, I do share your concerns, it is however always the case for all business related apps and tools. Where do Slack stand in that regards?

A someone from outside the US, I can say the exactly the same for US-based businesses (though I clearly understand you POV).