The USA is facing a nationwide TikTok ban in just a matter of days. Content creators, influencers, business owners who rely on the app, and general users are waiting nervously to see if it will go ahead.
Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments from TikTok representatives and those backing the ban, based on potential security concerns due to the company’s ties to China. The deadline for a decision is Sunday, January 19.
Talk of the app’s imminent demise has sparked a flurry of sign-ups to alternative apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and RedNote – a Chinese social media platform which has gained particular popularity among US users as of late.
RedNote – known in China as Xiaohongshu, the Mandarin term for “Little Red Book” – is a Chinese social media and e-commerce platform that blends features of Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, offering users a space to share lifestyle tips, product reviews, short videos, and more.
Unlike TikTok’s exclusive focus on short-form videos, RedNote goes further, including images, community discussions, and in-depth reviews to create a well-rounded content-sharing experience.
However, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, Adrianus Warmenhoven has now come forward to warn that although RedNote might seem like a “quick fix” for TikTok fans, “it comes with serious cybersecurity and private risks”.
“Like TikTok, RedNote is subject to Chinese data laws, which may grant government authorities access to user data without the privacy protections expected in the US,” Warmenhoven explained.
“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.”
Warmenhoven pointed to the app’s “lack of transparency” as a “major red flag” – namely its terms and conditions which are mainly in Mandarin.
“This leaves non-Chinese-speaking users unclear about what data is collected and how it’s used,” he went on. “It also makes it difficult for users to make informed decisions about their privacy.
“Beyond privacy, there are concerns about content censorship. RedNote’s content moderation policies may align with Chinese government standards, potentially stifling free speech and exposing users to biased information.”
As the TikTok ban edges closer, internet searches for RedNote have skyrocketed. The appsaw 2.38million searches in less than 48 hours, according to Hennessey Digital, suggesting Americans intend to “migrate” to RedNote.
Jason Hennessey, CEO of Hennessey Digital, purports that “the priority for Americans now is to make sure to have a suitable alternative [to TikTok] if the ban goes through as planned.”
On the flip side, Warmenhoven maintains US users “should think twice before switching to RedNote” because “the same privacy, transparency, and national security concerns that led to the TikTok debate are likely to apply here”.
In the meantime, the cybersecurity pro shared ways to protect your privacy while using RedNote, adding: “Limit the personal information you share, and review the app’s privacy settings to restrict data collection. To limit your IP address tracking, consider using a VPN.”
The Daily Record has approached Xiaohongshu for comment.
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