TikTok users in the United States are flocking to a new social network, RedNote. The application became number 1 in number of downloads on the American App Store.
As suspense peaks in the United States over the ban on TikTok, users are turning to an unexpected platform: RedNote. The Chinese application, still unknown a few months ago, now attracts millions of subscribers, and is even number 1 in number of downloads on the American App Store.
The meteoric rise of RedNote coincides with the announcement by the United States Supreme Court, which declared that it would ban TikTok in the territory if ByteDance, its parent company, did not sell the application before January 19. The Chinese company is in fact accused of spying on the 170 million users it claims to be in the United States, a “threat” according to the authorities.
As the deadline approaches, more and more users are preparing for the worst and turning to RedNote, under the hashtag #TikTokRefugees.
“Chinese Instagram”
The Chinese application, officially named “Xiaohongshu”, was founded in 2013. Very popular in China, it specializes in sharing photos and videos related to travel, beauty or fashion. For this, it is often nicknamed “the Chinese Instagram” by the American media.
However, the network has a very different algorithm from those of Instagram or TikTok: it favors content based on user interest, rather than popularity. A model that could appeal to TikTok users, tired of videos from famous influencers or redundant content.
However, the application encounters a major obstacle: it is, for the moment, only available in Mandarin. A big obstacle which could dissuade English-speaking users or subsequently push them towards other platforms.
Already reviews
Especially since barely arrived, American Internet users are already criticizing the social network, which is very different from TikTok. The application, far from being designed for English speakers, reflects Chinese ideology, particularly with regard to the rights of LGBT people. Several users have reported that certain community content could be censored.
RedNote, whose offices are located in Shanghai, is just as exposed to accusations of espionage and manipulation as TikTok. American and European users should therefore be vigilant and carefully read the conditions of use as well as the privacy policy.
Thus, the application is subject to the same regulations as TikTok on American territory and could, as such, also be subject to a ban.
