As the potential US ban on TikTok looms, users are swiftly turning to an alternative app, RedNote, to ensure they remain connected.
The clock is ticking as the US government considers implementing a ban on TikTok, which could take effect as soon as Sunday, January 19.
In April of last year, a bipartisan bill was passed by the US Congress aimed at prohibiting TikTok unless it finds a new owner.
Federal officials have raised concerns that TikTok represents a ‘national security threat’ due to its alleged ties with China.
The worry is that the data of US users might be shared unlawfully with the Chinese government.
However, TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, dispute these claims and are currently contesting the law in the Supreme Court, citing First Amendment Rights.
On Friday, justices rejected the argument and appeared to lean in favor of the US government’s stance.
Justice Elena Kagan noted that the law targets a foreign corporation ‘which doesn’t have First Amendment rights’, while Chief Justice John Roberts commented, “They’re not saying TikTok has to stop. They’re saying the Chinese have to stop controlling TikTok’, as reported by The Independent.”
President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to assume office on January 20, initially attempted to ban TikTok in 2020 but has since postponed the action.
Those who use the app, including creators, businesses, and influencers, have expressed that the ban could significantly impact the creator economy that relies heavily on TikTok.
With concerns about a future without TikTok, many US users are eagerly exploring potential alternatives to fill the void if the ban goes into effect.
RedNote, a free short-form video app from China, known as Xiaohongshu in Chinese, has quickly risen to the top of the Apple App Store. It is followed by Lemon8, another app owned by TikTok and ByteDance, as users seek new platforms to migrate to.
Functioning as a hybrid of Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, RedNote reportedly has over 300 million monthly active users, although it still trails TikTok’s figures, according to The Independent.
Founded in Shanghai in 2013, RedNote was valued at $17 billion after securing investments from Chinese backers, raising over $900 million in funding, and employing around 2,000 people, as reported by CNBC.
Many TikTok users are already showing enthusiasm for this new platform.
A TikToker from Georgia, known as allieusyaps, mentioned, “They’re trying to ban TikTok and that’s ok”, before telling his 200,000 followers that ‘we on that RedNote baby’.
“I might not have a job in the next week”, he added, “but we about to learn Mandarin baby!
“RedNote is already lit. I haven’t seen anything like that. The content they have over there is really different.
“So yeah, the great migration is here.”
Another TikToker, itsjustheavita, suggested the alternative may be even better for influencers since ‘Chinese brands have more money than American brands’.
She commented, “Let’s get our bag y’all. To the Red Note app it is. Goodbye”.