TikTok Users Flock to RedNote Amid Ban Threat
WASHINGTON — In the face of a looming ban, TikTok users in the US are rapidly shifting to a Chinese app named RedNote.
This mass migration has propelled RedNote to the top spot as the most downloaded app on Apple’s US App Store on Monday.
RedNote, a TikTok competitor popular among youth in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions, boasts approximately 300 million monthly users. It offers a blend of TikTok and Instagram features, allowing predominantly young urban women to share lifestyle tips ranging from dating advice to fashion trends.
With a Supreme Court decision pending on a law that could spell doom for TikTok by setting a 19 January deadline for it to sell its US operations or face a ban, uncertainty looms.
As TikTok continues to assert its refusal to sell its US business, citing concerns over free speech rights for its 170 million American users, RedNote has emerged as a welcoming alternative.
Embracing the influx of new users, RedNote has seen a surge in posts under the topic “TikTok refugee”, where newcomers are guided on app navigation and basic Chinese phrases.
While the transition to RedNote has been met with enthusiasm, reports of censorship, particularly on critical content related to the Chinese government, have surfaced. In Taiwan, officials are prohibited from using RedNote due to alleged security risks associated with Chinese software.
Despite security apprehensions, the appeal of RedNote remains strong. Users like Sarah Fotheringham from Utah view the move as a form of defiance against the authorities.
Similarly, Marcus Robinson from Virginia sees RedNote as an opportunity to showcase his fashion brand and stay ahead of the curve, despite initial hesitations over the app’s Mandarin terms and conditions.
As the specter of a TikTok ban looms, the platform faces the risk of losing users to alternative platforms like RedNote, where some users confess to spending more time than on TikTok.
For many, RedNote represents not just a new social media platform, but a gateway to exploring Chinese culture and building connections with a different community.
The allure of RedNote lies not just in its features but in the sense of discovery and connection it offers to users like Ms. Fotheringham and Mr. Robinson.
The community on RedNote has been described as “super welcoming”, indicating a positive reception among users exploring this new digital landscape.
“I love RedNote so far… I just need to learn how to speak Mandarin!” — BBC
