With the ongoing debate in Congress about banning TikTok, a new social media app called RedNote could be the latest rising star of social media, as more than half a million ‘TikTok refugees’ are being affected by a potential ban.
RedWire (known as Xiaohongshu in China) is considered the Chinese version of Instagram, with the lifestyle platform combining TikTok and Instagram elements. Quickly rising on the Apple app store as one of the most downloaded apps, with the looming fate of TikTok in the U.S. rising, users and creators alike are looking for new platforms to monetize.
“If TikTok is banned in the US, other social platforms will rush in to attempt and fill the void,” said Yaron Litwin, a Digital Safety Expert and CMO at Canopy.us, in an email to The Debrief. “RedNote has its own character and features, although there are differences between it and TikTok that may prevent it from becoming the heir apparent.”
As the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether Congress can ban TikTok before its potential shutdown on January 19, amid escalating tensions, the U.S. government could pressure Chinese authorities to control the flow of information on social media to curb misinformation. It may also demand TikTok hand over sensitive data and user information collected from Americans since the app’s U.S. launch in August 2018. Legal representatives for TikTok have previously argued that the potential app ban violated free speech.
“RedNote could succeed TikTok ultimately, but if it enjoys similar success, then it, as an app based in China with its own share of controversies, may attract lawmakers who wouldn’t mind legislating another ban,” notes Litwin.
During a live chat titled “TikTok Refugees” on RedNote on Monday, over 50,000 users from both the US and China joined the conversation. Veteran Chinese users seemingly welcomed their American counterparts, exchanged thoughts on topics, and ventured into more sensitive subjects involving relations between the two countries, though not always resulting in open exchanges.
“Is it okay to ask about the differences in laws between China and Hong Kong?” one American user inquired. A Chinese user replied, “We prefer not to discuss that here.”
Founded in 2013, RedNote is one of China’s biggest social media platforms, with 300 million users. The app has become widely popular and known for its lifestyle content, such as beauty, travel, and fashion.
Online comments by faithful TikTok users have been increasing on the app. “Our government is out of their minds if they think we’re going to stand for this TikTok ban,” one user named Heather Roberts said in a video message on RedNote, which has garnered more than 45,000 likes. “We’re just going to a new Chinese app, and here we are.”
The Race to Buy TikTok
Investors like Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, and Kevin O’Leary, star of “Shark Tank,” are among those who have expressed aims to acquire TikTok amid claims they are just steps away from closing a potential deal. President-elect Donald Trump recently also expressed his desire to “save TikTok,” despite previously supporting a ban on the app in 2020. Now, popular YouTuber and executive producer of the Amazon Prime reality competition show The Beat Games, “MrBeast,” has joined the conversation, declaring his intention to “buy TikTok so it doesn’t get banned.”
MrBeast has the second most-followed TikTok account with 107 million followers, with over half of his social media following based on TikTok. However, he also holds the title of having the most-subscribed YouTube channel in the world, ensuring his content continues to thrive across platforms. America’s top 10 TikTok content creators have a total following of 793.2 million on the app alone, which, on average, makes up a massive 71 percent of their combined following with Instagram.
With a pocket of the wealthiest people in the world looking to buy TikTok before the bans, how could the ownership change the social media world in the future?
“TikTok rebuilds trust by addressing privacy concerns, ensuring transparency, and reshaping its operations for long-term stability in the U.S.,” Litwin said.
“Musk could integrate TikTok with his own X (formerly known as Twitter) in some way,” Litwin also says, adding that such a move, if Musk were to take it, could offer “many innovative possibilities if he decides to go that route.”
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and founder of VOCAB Communications. She currently appears on The Discovery Channel and Max and hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on The Debrief’s YouTube Channel on all audio podcast streaming platforms. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton and at chrissynewton.com.