TikTok Users Turn to Xiaohongshu as Ban Threat Grows in the U.S.

As TikTok faces a potential ban, users are migrating to Xiaohongshu, a Chinese app gaining popularity among Americans seeking alternatives.

TikTok Users Turn to Xiaohongshu as Ban Threat Grows in the U.S.
TikTok Users Turn to Xiaohongshu as Ban Threat Grows in the U.S.

HONG KONG: With the U.S. Supreme Court hinting at a TikTok ban, many users are jumping ship to Xiaohongshu, also known as “Little Red Book.” This app has quickly become the most downloaded free app in the U.S.

These users, calling themselves “TikTok refugees,” are flocking to Xiaohongshu as a form of protest against the ban. The Supreme Court is set to decide if TikTok must separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by January 19 due to national security concerns.

As the news spread, TikTok users started creating accounts on Xiaohongshu, using hashtags like #tiktokrefugee. The app has gained a lot of traction, especially among young women looking for product recommendations and tutorials.

One user, Alexis Garman from Oklahoma, shared her positive experience on Xiaohongshu, saying it felt welcoming. She’s not too worried about data privacy and has already made connections with users from China.

Others are using the app to express their frustration with the potential ban. One American user made a video explaining that they’re downloading Xiaohongshu to challenge the narrative that Chinese apps are bad.

Chinese users have been friendly, offering to teach English and share tips on using the app. However, they also warn new users about discussing sensitive topics due to censorship in China.

While Xiaohongshu is seeing a surge in users, it’s uncertain if it can fully replace TikTok, which has a more developed ecosystem for e-commerce and advertising. Despite the political tensions, many users are enjoying cultural exchanges on the platform, fostering a sense of community.

A TikTok refugee named Amanda expressed her happiness about finding Xiaohongshu, highlighting the welcoming nature of Chinese users. She plans to add captions in Chinese to her posts to enhance communication.

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