US Users Flock to RedNote as TikTok Ban Looms, Sparking Censorship Concerns

With the potential TikTok ban looming, US users are flocking to a Chinese app called RedNote, now the most downloaded app on Apple’s US App Store.

Dubbed “TikTok refugees” by many, these users have helped RedNote climb to the top of the charts, as they seek alternatives in the face of the looming ban. RedNote, a popular TikTok competitor in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions, has around 300 million monthly users. The app, which combines features of TikTok and Instagram, is primarily used by young urban women to exchange lifestyle tips on everything from fashion to dating.

The US Supreme Court is set to rule on a law that gives TikTok a January 19 deadline to either sell its US operations or face a ban. TikTok has repeatedly stated it will not sell its US business, warning that a ban would infringe on free speech protections for its 170 million American users.

Meanwhile, RedNote is embracing its new users, with 63,000 posts under the hashtag “TikTok refugee,” offering guides on how to navigate the app and learn basic Chinese phrases. One new user expressed their gratitude, saying, “To our Chinese hosts, thanks for having us – sorry in advance for the chaos.”

However, like TikTok, RedNote has faced allegations of censorship, particularly regarding criticism of the Chinese government. In Taiwan, public officials have been barred from using RedNote due to concerns about the security risks posed by Chinese software.

As US users continue to join RedNote, some Chinese users have humorously adopted the moniker “Chinese spies,” a playful reference to US officials’ fears that TikTok may be used for spying or political manipulation.

RedNote’s Chinese name, Xiaohongshu, translates to “Little Red Book,” though the app has clarified that it is not a reference to the famous book of quotations by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong.

Photo credit: Dexerto