This article is obviously biased in every possible way to measure it.
1. WeChat is not the only app that comes with "mini program", Alipay for a big example. 2. WeChat is not the only app that delivers news and media information and consumes a huge amount of users's time, DouYin for a big example.
Why mention and only mention political events when you are talking about an iOS app and Apple store censorship ?
Or you're just merely talking about politics of your value.