Are 'TikTok refugees' turning to new Chinese app amid US ban?

San Francisco: As TikTok faces an impending shutdown in the United States, American content creators are pivoting to Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform also known as Red Note in English. The app, with its Instagram-meets-Pinterest style layout, has rapidly climbed to the top of the Apple App Store downloads this week.  

Influencer Jen Hamilton, who boasts 3.9 million followers on TikTok, announced her move to Xiaohongshu with a dose of sarcasm. In a video addressed to her followers, she joked, “Oh, you don’t want the Chinese to have our very sensitive personal data?”  

“It is impossible how little I care that the Chinese (have) my data,” Hamilton added, poking fun at fears of surveillance. She shared a humorous anecdote about a user changing their username to their social security number, quipping it could help “spies get promoted faster.”  

Hamilton also encouraged other TikTok creators to join her on Xiaohongshu, calling them “TikTok refugees.”  

Language barriers no deterrent  

Despite Xiaohongshu’s predominantly Mandarin interface, the platform’s appeal continues to grow among American users. The app’s visually engaging design and ease of use appear to outweigh the challenges posed by language differences.  

With over 170 million TikTok users in the United States, the transition to alternative platforms like Xiaohongshu marks a significant shift in social media habits.  

TikTok shutdown sparks migration

The US government passed a law last year mandating that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, either sell the platform or cease its operations in the United States. This law, aimed at addressing national security concerns, is set to take effect on Sunday. Officials claim TikTok allows Beijing to collect user data, spy on Americans, and serve as a propaganda tool.  

Both ByteDance and the Chinese government have categorically denied these allegations. Critics of the legislation argue it infringes on free speech, leaving creators and users searching for alternatives.  

AFP