Chinese App RedNote Soars in US as TikTok Faces Scrutiny: Security Concerns Emerge
Staff Editor RedNote Surges in US Amid TikTok Uncertainty, Raising New Security Concerns
In a surprising turn of events, Chinese social app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, has experienced a sudden surge in popularity in the United States, climbing to the top of Apple’s app store rankings. This rise comes as TikTok faces a potential shutdown, prompting users to seek alternative platforms.
The recent success of RedNote has caught the attention of US lawmakers, particularly in light of the newly passed divest-or-ban law targeting apps with foreign adversary ownership. This legislation, which has already put TikTok under scrutiny, could potentially affect RedNote as well.
Rep. John Moolenaar, a key figure in the discussion, has raised concerns about RedNote’s potential as a target under the new law. “RedNote, like TikTok, is controlled by Chinese entities,” Moolenaar stated, drawing parallels to historical propaganda tools such as Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book.
The national security implications of RedNote’s rise are significant, with Moolenaar suggesting that President Trump could enforce divestment under the TikTok bill. This move would align with broader efforts to address potential data security risks associated with Chinese-owned apps.
Xiaohongshu, the company behind RedNote, has not responded to requests for comment on these developments. In contrast, TikTok has previously issued statements regarding data sharing and content moderation practices in an attempt to address similar concerns.
The future of Chinese-owned apps in the US market remains uncertain. While President Trump has expressed interest in “saving” TikTok, his stance on other Chinese apps, including RedNote, is yet to be clarified. Xiaohongshu, which combines social media and e-commerce functionalities, boasts a significant global reach, further complicating the situation.
As the US government continues to grapple with the complexities of regulating foreign-owned social media platforms, the fate of apps like RedNote hangs in the balance, leaving users and industry observers alike wondering what the future holds for Chinese-owned apps in the American digital landscape.
