As the U.S. prepares to enforce a nationwide ban on TikTok, influencers and users are flocking to the Chinese lifestyle app RedNote.
The app, known as Xiaohongshu in China, has experienced an 867% increase in U.S. downloads, becoming the top app on Apple’s App Store.
TikTok’s Looming Shutdown
On January 19, TikTok will go offline in the U.S., redirecting users to a government site explaining the ban.
This unprecedented move follows the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversaries Controlled Applications Act, which mandates TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban.
Rumors that ByteDance might sell TikTok to Elon Musk have been dismissed as “pure fiction.”
RedNote’s U.S. Surge
RedNote, originally a lifestyle platform for Chinese users, has seen over 300 million monthly active users, with a growing base in the U.S. Despite its predominantly Chinese interface, U.S. users have embraced the app, translating content and using hashtags like #TikTokRefugee.
However, critics question the app’s sudden rise. Karen North, a communications professor at USC, suggests the trend may be orchestrated:
“TikTok is essentially astroturfing this campaign. It doesn’t make sense as a protest against the U.S. Government’s attack on TikTok because it’s also Chinese.”
Privacy and National Security Concerns
RedNote’s popularity raises concerns about data privacy. The app operates under Chinese laws, which allow extensive government access to user data. Critics warn that RedNote could face the same fate as TikTok if its profile rises further.
Mixed Reactions
While some users view RedNote as a lifeline, others see it as a lateral move.
“If you install 小红书 (RedNote) for fear of a TikTok ban, you will instantly morph into an NPC,” tweeted decentralized platform Minds.
The debate underscores broader questions about privacy, policy, and the future of social media in the U.S.
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