TikTok Users Shift to RedNote Amid Looming US Ban
TikTok Users Shift to RedNote Amid Looming US Ban.
Users of TikTok in the United States are transitioning to a Chinese application known as RedNote, as the possibility of a ban looms just days away.
This shift, initiated by individuals identifying as "TikTok refugees," has propelled RedNote to become the most downloaded application on Apple's US App Store as of Monday.
RedNote, a competitor to TikTok, enjoys popularity among young audiences in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions.
With approximately 300 million monthly users, the app resembles a blend of TikTok and Instagram, enabling predominantly young urban women to share lifestyle advice ranging from dating to fashion.
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The Supreme Court justices are expected to make a ruling on a law that imposes a deadline of January 19 for TikTok to either divest its US operations or confront a potential ban in the country.
TikTok has consistently maintained its stance against selling its US business, with its legal representatives cautioning that a ban would infringe upon the free speech rights of the platform's 170 million users in the United States.
In the meantime, RedNote has embraced its new users enthusiastically. There are currently 63,000 posts under the topic "TikTok refugee," where newcomers receive guidance on navigating the app and utilizing basic Chinese phrases.
"To our Chinese hosts, thanks for having us - sorry in advance for the chaos," a new US user wrote.
Reports indicate that, similar to TikTok, RedNote has faced allegations of censorship regarding critiques of the Chinese government.
In Taiwan, public officials are prohibited from utilizing RedNote due to purported security threats associated with Chinese software.
As the number of US users on RedNote has increased, some Chinese users have humorously labeled themselves as "Chinese spies," alluding to concerns among US officials that TikTok may serve as a vehicle for espionage and political influence by China.
The Chinese name for RedNote, Xiaohongshu, translates to Little Red Book; however, the app asserts that this is not an allusion to the book of quotations by Mao Zedong, the Chinese communist leader, which bears the same title.
Despite these security apprehensions, users continue to flock to RedNote in significant numbers.
Sarah Fotheringham, a 37-year-old employee at a school canteen in Utah, asserts that the transition to RedNote serves as a means to "snub" the government.
"I'm just a simple person living a simple life," Ms Fotheringham stated in a RedNote message to the BBC.
"I don't have anything that China doesn't, and if they want my data that bad they can have it."
Marcus Robinson, a fashion designer based in Virginia, stated that he established his RedNote account over the weekend to promote his clothing brand and to maintain a competitive edge.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr. Robinson expressed that he felt "slightly hesitant" regarding the acceptance of the app's terms and conditions, which were presented in Mandarin.
"I wasn't able to actually read them so that was a little concerning to me," he said, "but I took my chance."
A prohibition on TikTok may not lead to its immediate disappearance; however, it would necessitate app stores to cease its availability, potentially leading to its gradual decline.
Moreover, even if TikTok manages to avoid a ban, it may struggle to retain users as they migrate to competing platforms.
Certain social media users have reported to the BBC that they are spending more time on RedNote than on TikTok.
"Even if TikTok does stay I will continue to use my platform I've created on RedNote," Tennessee tech worker Sydney Crawley told the BBC.
Ms. Crawley stated that she accumulated more than 6,000 followers within a mere 24 hours of establishing her RedNote account.
"I will continue to try to build a following there and see what new connections, friendships, or opportunities it brings me."
Ms Fotheringham says that RedNote "opened my world up to China and its people".
"I am now able to see things I never would have seen," she said. "Regular Chinese people, finding out about their culture, life, school, everything, it has been so much fun."
The community so far has been "super welcoming", said Mr Robinson.
"I love RedNote so far … I just need to learn how to speak Mandarin!"
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The mass migration of U.S. TikTok users to RedNote may appear as a temporary solution, but it raises numerous concerns. While users express excitement over the new platform, the long-term implications remain uncertain. Security risks tied to Chinese-owned apps, including potential censorship and data privacy issues, are unlikely to be fully alleviated by simply switching platforms.
Furthermore, the app’s terms and conditions, presented in Mandarin, pose significant challenges for users unfamiliar with the language. As RedNote grows in popularity, it remains to be seen whether it can genuinely offer the same experience without the geopolitical and privacy concerns that surround TikTok.
