TikTok Refugees Are Acquired by the Chinese App REDNote

TikTok Ban and ByteDance's Response

The Supreme Court is evaluating whether TikTok may continue to operate without selling to an American-owned company. ByteDance, the company that controls TikTok, has already announced that if they are not permitted to continue without selling, they will go black on January 19. They refuse to give in to the arm-twisting.

The US government says that TikTok poses a national security danger, stating that using a platform owned by a "foreign national," particularly China, exposes Americans to blackmail.

To be clear, ByteDance, the parent firm, is Chinese, but TikTok is based in the United States. CEO Shou Zi Chew is from Singapore and got his start as an intern at Facebook.

No VPN Workaround

Some initially believed they could continue using TikTok via a VPN. But that won’t work for a couple of reasons.

If the app is banned, neither Google Play nor the Apple Store will host it. This means you could keep using the app as long as it’s downloaded on your phone before the ban goes into effect, but updates would be unavailable, eventually rendering the app glitchy and obsolete. Eventually.

But ByteDance is fighting back. They’ve said if the ban goes into effect, they will “go dark” on their volition. This means that they will cease operating the servers in the U.S. The app would immediately stop working on January 19, and all accounts and videos stored on U.S. servers would be wiped. You will not be able to log in via a VPN because your account will cease to exist.

Creators on TikTok are bracing for the loss of followers, content quality, and income. Many are searching for an alternative that Zuckerberg or Musk don’t own. Meta’s owner, Zuckerberg, actively lobbied for TikTok’s removal in hopes of reclaiming users for Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. As a result, there is widespread resistance to returning to those platforms, with users going as far as deleting Facebook and Instagram en masse.

It also doesn’t help that engagement on these platforms is not good. Both Instagram and Twitter (we don’t call it X on this blog) thrive on rage for engagement, so your content usually lands on the screens of bullies and naysayers. No one wants to deal with that. Users on TikTok want to build community and expand their business with like-minded people.

The Move to REDNote: Peak American Irony

In the funniest and most ironic move in recent history, Americans are migrating to REDNote—also known as Xiaohongshu, which translates to “Little Red Book.” The app, also referred to as XHS, REDnote, or just RED, is more akin to Pinterest and Instagram but supports TikTok-style videos. Originally launched in 2013 as a shopping platform for product and experience reviews, it is now widely used for recommendations on restaurants/shops, products, and tutorials.

One of REDNote’s standout features is its map function. Since it’s a Chinese app, you would think that the content on the map isn’t relevant to you, but it can display gems in your city at locations marked by Chinese tourists visiting the U.S.

As of January 13, REDNote is the most downloaded app on the Apple Store.

Why REDNote?

A Chinese-owned app is not exactly a beacon of free speech. But this digital migration is not about that.

The transition to REDNote is, bluntly put, a “fuck you” to those banning TikTok. At least two generations have grown up knowing they are constantly monitored. Since the Patriot Act, privacy was surrendered in the name of national security.

Calls, texts, emails, and data have been freely accessible to the government to keep us safe, yet Americans have repeatedly suffered data breaches from domestic scammers. Americans gave up privacy for security and got neither. So when the government cited “data security” as the reason for banning TikTok, the response was a collective eye roll.

Saying “China” had their data through TikTok was not as scary as the government thought it would be. They relied so heavily on xenophobia that they forgot to take into account that young people are already used to the idea of their data not being sacred and always being up for grabs. Instead, users saw through the narrative and responded with defiance: “Here, China, it’s my data, and I’m okay if you have it.”

Also, skepticism was inevitable.

The timing of the ban was suspect, coinciding with TikTok becoming a hub for information not shared on mainstream news, organizing protests, mutual aid, and First Amendment expression.

Reception of Americans on REDNote

At first, Chinese users resisted the influx of Americans, viewing them as “digital colonizers.” This sentiment is understandable. REDNote users were mostly Chinese, and here came Americans kicking down the doors and claiming a corner on their internet.

But the reception has since warmed. The CEO of REDNote has personally made a video welcoming Americans, who are now being referred to as “TikTok refugees.” The app’s algorithm has already adapted, promoting Mandarin educators to English speakers.

American content is surfacing, including Luigi Mangione edits and videos about the Los Angeles wildfires. Chinese students are even asking Americans for help with English homework.

Memes have emerged, such as Minion edits portraying Americans “booing” the TikTok ban and “yaying” the REDNote logo.

How to Sign Up

REDNote is available on both Google Play and the Apple Store. Registration requires a phone number, and American numbers work just fine.

Most Americans are able to immediately experience the app in English, but some did report that they were seeing Chinese characters. Look up a tutorial on YouTube if that’s the case. But for the most part, it should be in English upon downloading.

A Reminder to American Users

Americans are guests on this platform. Like traveling, they should be mindful of local customs and norms. The app has strict guidelines that may differ from Western expectations. Adjust. Limit your complaints until you have a better understanding of the culture.

A Temporary Protest

This migration is a beautiful cultural exchange. While initial reactions were cold, they quickly warmed as users embraced the influx of foreigners. Many Americans have even started learning Mandarin via Duolingo. Pretty soon, we’ll be like the characters on the show Firefly, where they spoke a hybrid of English and Chinese.

But will it last? Probably not. If the U.S. government couldn’t tolerate TikTok, which isn’t even a fully Chinese app, lawmakers will lose their sh*t when they realize Americans are flocking to an app that is actually Chinese and called “Little Red Book,” an obvious nod to communism. I wouldn’t be surprised if a ban on REDNote happens even faster than TikTok’s removal.

While it won’t last, signing up for REDNote is more about the protest than a long-term move.