Why are Americans suddenly turning to the Chinese app RedNote?
Last Updated on January 20, 2025 6:33 am
TikTok users in the United States are now turning to another Chinese app called RedNote. These users, who describe themselves as “TikTok refugees,” have downloaded RedNote in large numbers.
As a result, RedNote became the most downloaded app on Apple’s US App Store on Monday.
The app, already popular with young people in China, Taiwan and other Mandarin-speaking communities, is a rival to TikTok. RedNote can be said to be a cross between TikTok and Instagram. It has about 300 million monthly users.
Through this app, its users, mainly urban young women, exchange advice on various topics – be it love or fashion.
Meanwhile, new legal requirements have disconnected TikTok app users in the United States on Saturday night (January 18).
The news agency AFP reported that a message was sent to users a few hours before the law came into effect. It said that the law banning TikTok in the United States had been implemented. Unfortunately, this means you can’t use TikTok anymore.
But amid all this, RedNote is welcoming new users.
There are already 63,000 posts about ‘TikTok refugees’. There, new users are taught how to use RedNote. They are also taught how to use common Chinese phrases.
A US user wrote, “To the Chinese hosts, thank you for hosting us. Sorry in advance for the chaos.”
However, like TikTok, RedNote has also been accused of ‘voice suppression’. It is reported that ‘censorship’ is imposed on criticism of the Chinese government on the platform.
Taiwanese government officials have been banned from using RedNote due to security risks associated with using Chinese software.
Incidentally, as more US users have joined the RedNote platform, some Chinese users have jokingly referred to themselves as ‘Chinese spies.’
They point to concerns from US officials that China could use TikTok as a tool for espionage and political manipulation.
The Chinese name for RedNote is Xiaohongshu, which translates to Little Red Book. But the app claims it has nothing to do with the famous book by Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong. But security concerns have not stopped users from using RedNote.
Sarah Fetheringham, 37, works in a school canteen in Utah, US. She says the move to the RedNote app is a “thumbs up” to the US government.
In a message sent to the BBC via RedNote, Ms Fetheringham said: “I’m an ordinary person, living an ordinary life. I don’t have anything that China doesn’t have. And if that’s what they’re interested in taking my data for, they can take it.”
Virginia fashion designer Marcus Robinson created his own RedNote account over the weekend. He created the account to share information about his ready-to-wear brand and to stay ahead of others.
He told the BBC that when he created the account, he was a little hesitant when accepting the RedNote terms of use, which were written in Mandarin.
He said that I couldn’t really read the text and that was why I was a little worried. But I ended up using it.
However, the US ban does not mean that TikTok will disappear immediately.
App stores will have to stop providing TikTok. Then, over time, the app will no longer be available. However, there are concerns that even if the ban is somehow circumvented, TikTok’s situation could become “helpless” as users join alternative platforms.
Some social media users told the BBC that they scrolled more on RedNote than on TikTok.
Sydney Crowley, a tech worker from Tennessee, told the BBC that she would continue to use the RedNote platform even if she left TikTok.
Ms Crowley said she had gained more than 6,000 followers within 24 hours of creating her RedNote account.
She said she would continue to build her following there and see what new connections, friendships or opportunities it might bring her.
Ms Fotheringham, a canteen worker, is also enthusiastic about using RedNote. She said RedNote had opened up her world to China and its people. “I’ve seen things I never could before. It’s been great to learn about the people of China, their culture, their lives, their schools – it’s all been great.”
Designer Robinson said the RedNote community had welcomed her warmly.
She said she had enjoyed using RedNote so far. Now I just need to learn to speak Mandarin!