With a possible ban on TikTok, many American users are flocking to a Chinese social media app … [+]
With a possible TikTok ban, many American users are flocking to Chinese social media app RedNote. So much so that RedNote’s popularity is growing, with the app heading to the top spot in the US Apple App Store.
Known as TikTok refugees, users moving to RedNote have been warmly welcomed by their Chinese counterparts. However, some are already facing new problems, according to TechCrunch, which reports that TikTok refugees are having their new RedNote accounts frozen or suspended.
However, as TikTok users set up RedNote accounts in bulk, there are some considerations, including the privacy of your data when using the China-based app. Here’s what you need to know.
What is RedNote and why do TikTok users choose it?
Xiaohongshu, or Little Red Book, also known as RedNote, is a social media platform billed as China’s answer to Instagram. It’s not quite like TikTok, in fact TechCrunch calls it a “Chinese Yelp or Google alternative that offers local recommendations and nearby links in addition to video feeds.”
TikTok refugees are choosing RedNote because of the short video feed aspect, with some saying they will even learn Mandarin to fit in with the platform’s Chinese user base.
TikTok users are also avoiding Facebook and Instagram after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerburg announced that the platforms will no longer use fact-checkers. It follows an X exodus from BlueSky as users protest the platform’s terms of service and other changes made by its owner Elon Musk.
RedNote has 300 million users, according to research firm Qian Gua – and a large percentage of them are young women.
In June 2018, Alibaba Group and Tencent invested $300 million in Xiaohongshu, at a valuation of $3 billion.
RedNote has already faced controversy. That same year, RedNote attracted an influx of overseas users, but apparently ran into regulatory problems and its app store shelves were suspended.
In December 2022, the Taiwanese government banned public sector employees from using Xiaohongshu on official equipment due to national security concerns.
What do the RedNote terms and conditions say?
It is now widely known that TikTok collects a lot of data. This is one of the main concerns driving the potential US ban. But RedNote is no better – and comes with additional risks.
According to RedNote’s privacy policy, the platform collects a large amount of data including sensitive information such as your location through your IP address, browsing habits and more. Additionally, RedNote’s terms and conditions are in Mandarin, and users are struggling to convert them to English, despite the fact that it’s apparently possible.
Experts warn of the dangers of sharing your data without due diligence. “RedNote may seem like a quick fix for TikTok fans before its possible ban in the US, but it comes with serious cybersecurity and privacy risks,” says Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert. on NordVPN.
Like TikTok, RedNote is subject to Chinese data laws. This could give government authorities access to user data without the privacy protections expected in the US, Warmenhoven says. “The Platform collects extensive personal data, including location, browsing activity and device-specific information such as IP addresses. It may also share this data with third-party service providers or government authorities, raising concerns about user privacy,” he says.
I reached out to RedNote for comment and will update this article if the firm responds.
TikTok and RedNote – Privacy and beyond
People should remember that all apps, including TikTok, collect a lot of information, says Jake Moore, global cyber security advisor at ESET. “Social media apps are fed by data and learn how people consume content to fine-tune the algorithm. It is sold to advertisers and other third parties subject to geographic laws.”
Adding to this, Warmenhoven points out RedNote’s lack of transparency, due to the fact that its terms and conditions are mainly in Mandarin. “It leaves non-Chinese speaking users unclear about what data is collected and how it is used. This makes it difficult for users to make informed decisions about their privacy.”
Beyond privacy, there are concerns about content censorship, experts point out. “RedNote’s content moderation policies may align with Chinese government standards, potentially stifling free speech and exposing users to biased information,” says Warmenhoven.
To protect your privacy while using RedNote, limit the personal information you share and review the app’s privacy settings to limit data collection, Warmenhoven says.
Yet he thinks Social media users should think twice before switching to RedNote. “The same privacy, transparency and national security concerns that led to the TikTok controversy are likely to apply here.”
It’s easy to see why TikTok users are switching to RedNote — and the interactions between American and Chinese users have been a fun way to pass the time. But if you care about security and privacy, join RedNote at your own risk and be very careful about the data you share.
