(Yicai Global) Jan. 6 -- Users of Tencent Holdings' QQ messaging app that use their phone's battery or poor signal as an excuse to bail out of conversations may need to think up a new strategy if they update their app, as the latest version enables real-time sharing of their phone's charging and signal status.

Users of China's first instant messaging software will need to opt in to sharing the information though, its Shenzhen-based operator said today. The QQ update also adds 13 new pre-set statuses for people who are unavailable to chat, such as 'eating,' 'working out,' and 'cooking.

Some netizens have expressed concern that sharing their phone's charging status and signal strength could indicate to undesirables whether or not they are at home.

Though Tencent's WeChat chat app has overtaken its older sibling in terms of monthly active users, QQ still has 653 million, according to Tencent's third-quarter financial report. WeChat had nearly 1.2 billion as of the same time, up 6 percent annually, while QQ's MAU count had fallen by the same amount.

Editor: James Boynton