As of Jan. 19 of this year, the widely popular short-form video service, TikTok, has been banned in the United States. The app had over 170 million active users in the US but as the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications” Act went into effect, it became necessary for these millions of users to find a new social media app to fill the TikTok-shaped hole. One such alternative was an app called Xiaohongshu (or RedNote), known as “China’s answer to Instagram.” The move was undoubtedly an act of protest, and when President Trump signed an order to not enforce the new law for 75 days, many moved back to TikTok. The exodus to RedNote was not widespread or long-lasting, but that is not what made it so interesting.
At the end of Donald Trump’s first term, the US government intensified its scrutiny of TikTok, citing national security concerns over data privacy and potential foreign influence since its owner, ByteDance, was based in China. In August 2020, Trump issued Executive Order 13942, prohibiting transactions with ByteDance, effectively banning TikTok in the United States. Legal challenges and talks followed, with TikTok suing the Trump government, claiming the ban violated the First Amendment. While first injunctions delayed the ban’s execution, the court battles underlined the growing US-Chinese disputes over technology and data security. Many American users searched for alternative websites amid uncertainty about the future of TikTok.
Many American users turned to RedNote following TikTok’s ban. Originally popular in China for its emphasis on fashion, beauty and travel, RedNote appealed to former TikTok users with its aesthetically pleasing user interface and community-driven material. Within days, the app surged to the top of the US App Store charts, reflecting its rapid adoption among Americans seeking a new digital space for creative expression and connection.
Moving to RedNote encouraged a special cultural interaction between American and Chinese users. While Chinese users provided knowledge about local culture, cuisine and daily life, Americans brought trends, including dance challenges and memes. Built-in translation tools and teamwork helped to negotiate language obstacles. Americans offered English help and Chinese users supplied Mandarin lessons. Chinese users were shocked at learning the cost of a ride in an ambulance, insisting that it must have been propaganda from their government. This reciprocal interest and eagerness to participate produced a lively mix of cultural interchange.
Even with the positive interactions, integrating American users into RedNote proved difficult. The platform’s commitment to Chinese content rules resulted in cases whereby American posts, especially those addressing controversial subjects, were deleted or suppressed. This censorship exposed different opinions on free expression and generated questions among American consumers over digital rights. Cultural misinterpretation also caused conflict as ideas judged acceptable in one culture clashed with the conventions of another. An American user tested the waters by asking, “Is it ok to ask about how laws are different in China versus Hong Kong?” A Chinese user replied, “We prefer not to talk about that here.” RedNote responded by assigning English-speaking moderators to help control the flood and enable more seamless interactions.
This digital migration underlined the complexity of world social media dynamics. It represented the difficulties presented by different regulatory systems and cultural standards and the possibility of technology to close cultural gaps. Reflecting more general issues in international relations and digital governance, the RedNote experience acted as a case study of the balance between encouraging honest communication and following localized content standards. American users’ temporary but significant shift to RedNote amid the TikTok ban highlighted how digital platforms might enable cross-cultural exchange. Regardless of the problems that arose with the rise of RedNote, the experience gave an insightful analysis of the possibilities and restrictions of worldwide digital communities.