With only a few days left, TikTok faces a potential ban in the United States. Should the Supreme Court deny any last-minute attempts to save the app, it will face restrictions starting January 19. In anticipation of this scenario, lawmakers are already advising tech companies on how to eliminate TikTok from their app marketplaces, gearing up for its potential exit.
Security Concerns of TikTok: Misinformation, Propaganda, and User Tracking
Since 2023, U.S. security officials have expressed serious concerns regarding TikTok, pointing to its ties with the Chinese government and the risks to data privacy. They caution that the app may have the capability to monitor American users, gather sensitive information, and create considerable national security issues. During hearings held in March, lawmakers underscored the possibility that TikTok could exploit user data for the purpose of broadcasting propaganda, spreading falsehoods, and even, in severe instances, surveilling microphones or tracking activities on other applications.
The situation has become evident: TikTok needs to be sold or it will vanish from American devices. Users have already begun seeking out methods to circumvent the impending ban, although doing so would prevent TikTok from receiving updates, rendering the app unusable for those who might find temporary ways to access it.
The U.S. is not the first country to highlight these threats—TikTok has already been banned in India, and similar restrictions are in place in countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Somalia. Government employees in both the U.K. and Australia are prohibited from using TikTok on their work devices, a policy echoed by the European Commission. Furthermore, major news organizations have taken steps to protect their data security, with the BBC and Denmark’s public broadcaster recommending that employees remove the app from corporate gadgets.
ByteDance Argues TikTok Ban Violates Free Speech
ByteDance has consistently asserted that TikTok is not for sale, strongly disputing claims that the Chinese government exercises authority over the data or feeds of American users. Nevertheless, these assertions, combined with claims that a ban could infringe upon First Amendment rights, have been largely disregarded. It now seems that finding a new buyer is TikTok’s only remaining feasible option.
As the conversation surrounding TikTok’s possible exit continues, users and creators are scouting potential alternatives for their online engagement. Popular options like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, which have seen impressive view counts recently, remain formidable competitors. At the same time, a new player is swiftly gaining popularity.
What is RedNote and Why are U.S. TikTok Users Switching to It?
The Chinese social media platform “RedNote” has risen to the forefront of social networking apps on U.S. app stores this past Monday. Known domestically as Xiaohongshu or “Little Red Book,” RedNote closely resembles Instagram and Reels, offering the short video content that users adore. The app has also caught the attention of Chinese users, leading to an impressive 218 million active monthly users in China as of September 2024.
Similar to TikTok, RedNote provides numerous features, establishing itself as a vital platform for travel tips, online dating, and e-commerce. Currently primarily functioning in Mandarin, which limits its audience primarily to Chinese speakers, company executives are reportedly working diligently to tailor the platform for Western audiences.
In a few days, over half a million “TikTok refugees” have made the switch to this new platform, although this number is minor compared to TikTok’s impressive count of “over 150 million monthly active users in the United States alone.”
Americans are captivated by RedNote due to its similarity to the app popular in China, presenting a unique opportunity to observe how social media mirrors cultural tendencies that connect and differentiate the U.S. and China. Although the rising popularity of RedNote is undoubtedly exciting for digital users, some experts speculate that its success is fleeting and that it may soon face challenges reminiscent of TikTok’s struggles.
Concerns Arise Over RedNote’s Security Policies
The privacy policy and data handling practices of RedNote remain largely obscure to American users, as the documentation is primarily in Mandarin, leaving many issues unaddressed. From what is available, it appears that users who download the app consent to RedNote obtaining their identity, facial recognition details, and access to photo libraries, depending on specific features used. Moreover, RedNote claims the right to utilize data for purposes including “news reporting and public interest oversight.”
For functions requiring user authentication, the app can also collect your ID number and geographic location. Alarmingly, many of the security concerns tied to RedNote are strikingly similar to those associated with TikTok during its peak scrutiny.
“Xiaohongshu is particularly designed for a domestic Chinese audience, and U.S. users are already encountering unanticipated censorship,” remarked Emmie Hine from Yale University to NewScientist.
In keeping with China’s strict regulations, the app’s parent company, Xingyin Information Technology, implements censorship policies that suppress any content that diverges from the government’s narrative. This includes the removal of posts related to sensitive historical events, such as the Tiananmen Square protests, and any negative commentary regarding the Chinese government. This stringent control over speech renders even the most regulated social media platforms in the U.S. appear remarkably liberal in comparison.
While users may find some fleeting refuge or curiosity in exploring how social media operates in China, the future of apps like RedNote is likely to be short unless their leaders genuinely commit to pursuing the U.S. market. In the wake of TikTok’s ascent, major American tech players like Snapchat, Meta, and YouTube have introduced viable alternatives. These platforms generally present fewer risks concerning data and security and are not anticipated to encounter sudden legal hurdles. Content creators and marketers, who rely on trust and stability, have myriad enduring options available—none of which appear to be disappearing any time soon.
