As TikTok faces a potential U.S. ban, users are flocking to the Chinese app REDnote for a new social media experience
Oklahoma: With TikTok possibly shutting down in the U.S. soon, many users are checking out Xiaohongshu, also known as REDnote. This app is getting a lot of buzz right now.
Lawmakers are worried about TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government. They’ve given the app’s parent company, ByteDance, until January 19 to sell it or face a ban.
Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments about TikTok’s ownership. If they decide to uphold the ban, TikTok could disappear from app stores and internet providers very quickly.
People are anxious about losing TikTok, so they’re jumping on Xiaohongshu as a backup. It’s currently the top download on both Apple and Google’s app stores in the U.S.
Xiaohongshu means “Little Red Book” in English, but many Americans are calling it REDnote. You’ll see that name in the app stores too.
Over 150,000 users are using the hashtag #tiktokrefugee to show they’ve switched. They’re looking for tips on how to use this new platform.
One user, Alexis Garman, 21, from Oklahoma, said losing TikTok isn’t just about an app; it’s about losing jobs, friends, and community. She’s already chatting with users from China on her new feed.
A new friend of hers from Sichuan province joked about the kind of stuff shared online, saying, “I am your Chinese spy. Please surrender your personal information or the photographs of your cat (or dog).”
In China, Google and Facebook are blocked, and Xiaohongshu is censored. It’s unclear how this will affect U.S. users trying to promote their businesses or ideas. Founded in 2013, the app is based in Shanghai and could face scrutiny from U.S. regulators too.
According to the Pew Research Center, a third of U.S. adults and most teens use TikTok. In April, President Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or stop operations in the U.S. Last month, Trump asked the Supreme Court to pause the ban.
There’s even talk about Elon Musk, who bought Twitter for $44 billion, possibly adding TikTok to his portfolio, but it’s all just speculation for now.
Xiaohongshu has around 300 million monthly active users. Like Instagram and TikTok, it’s often used for finding restaurant recommendations and makeup tips.
