TikTok banned in U.S., RedNote sees a spike in users
TikTok has been disabled in the United States due to a change in legislation, leaving users unable to access the app. Many are now seeking alternatives and are turning to another Chinese app.
TikTok gained global recognition, captivating audiences everywhere with its short, engaging videos. The app, which presents content vertically and is powered by an enticing algorithm, offers a burst of dopamine that users find difficult to resist. Quickly scrolling through videos can become addictive. No wonder Americans, now deprived of their daily dose of "happiness," are beginning to search for substitutes.
An option that some are considering is the Xiaohongshu app, commonly referred to in Western media as RedNote. Over recent days, a significant number of Americans have registered for it, leading to a spike in its popularity in the American App Store, where it has climbed to the top among the most popular apps. Its popularity is also growing in the Google Play Store.
"Little TikTok"
Despite its growing popularity, RedNote remains far from reaching the milestones achieved by TikTok. The app has been downloaded over 10 million times in the Google Play Store, which is merely 1% of TikTok's one billion downloads.
As reported by Investopedia, data from Similarweb indicates that as of January 13, 13.3 million Americans were using the app, representing about 15% of TikTok's former user base in the U.S. Clearly, there is some interest, but RedNote is unlikely to dominate the American market overnight.
One reason is that the app is not particularly tailored for the international market, being mainly developed for Chinese users. Some of its navigation features remain in Mandarin.
Online information suggests that RedNote shares only some similarities with TikTok. It allows users to post both videos and photos and takes advantage of an infinite scroll feature, enticing users to spend extended periods browsing content. However, as noted by TechCrunch, the service has more in common with Yelp or Google, offering recommendations for local businesses alongside a video channel.
Addiction to China?
In response to TikTok's success, other social media platforms have introduced short video formats. YouTube has Shorts, and Instagram and Facebook feature Reels. Therefore, the demand for yet another app dedicated to short videos might seem puzzling.
Considering the political tensions between the United States and China, RedNote's popularity in the U.S. might be short-lived. It's important to remember that TikTok's ban could be reversed if Donald Trump returns to office.
Forbes reported that TikTok amassed significant user data, leading to its U.S. ban. According to Forbes, RedNote does not fare any better in this regard.
RedNote gathers a lot of data
The app's privacy policy indicates that it collects substantial user data. This includes location information based on the IP address and browsing habits. As the app's terms and conditions are available only in Mandarin, many new users might not even have the opportunity to review them before agreeing. Adrianus Warmenhoven, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, cautions against a mass migration from TikTok to RedNote:
- RedNote might seem like a quick fix for TikTok fans ahead of its potential ban in the U.S., but it comes with serious cybersecurity and privacy risks, comments the expert.
The issue is that, like TikTok, RedNote operates under Chinese data regulations, meaning that Chinese authorities can access users' data, sidestepping the privacy protections afforded to U.S. citizens.
- The platform collects extensive personal data, including location, browsing activity, and device-specific information like IP addresses. It can also share this data with third-party service providers or government authorities, raising concerns about user privacy, says Warmenhoven in an interview with Forbes.
New platform, old problems, and threats
Jake Moore, a global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, voiced similar concerns. He reminded us that modern social media thrives on data; they learn about users and share the data with advertisers and other third parties. Everything is designed to keep us engaged with as much content as possible, influencing aspects such as our purchasing decisions.
Warmenhoven suggests that to protect privacy within RedNote, users should limit the amount of personal data they provide. It is also advisable to carefully review the app's settings to minimize data collection.
When considering the downsides of this new platform, one should also note restrictions on freedom of speech. The service's content moderation policy likely aligns fully with Chinese government expectations. This could lead to censorship or content manipulation on certain subjects.
- The same privacy, transparency and national security concerns that led to the TikTok debate are likely to apply here, concludes the NordVPN expert.
