“RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, which translates to “little red book,” is often compared to TikTok due to its focus on short-form video content. RedNote also integrates elements similar to Pinterest, providing users with a mix of video and livestreaming features. The platform allows users to share product reviews, experiences, and lifestyle content, creating a blend of social interaction and online shopping.”
There are many foreign owned apps based in countries with little or no legal privacy protections whose use could/would endanger the privacy and data of its users. The focus on TikTok is due to its size and pervasiveness, as well as its targeting of and widespread use by children.
If another app gains the scope and pervasiveness as TikTok there might be another groundswell of political will to do something about it, but until that happens there will not be any sweeping legislation banning all apps from countries that don’t meet our (arguably inadequate) privacy standards.
Launched in 2013, RedNote has rapidly grown to become one of China’s fastest-growing social platforms, valued at over $3 billion. It enables users to discover, research and purchase products directly through the app. RedNote’s interface and e-commerce integration have contributed to its appeal, allowing users to explore content from fashion and beauty tips to travel and personal experiences.
No matter what, ecommerce sellers who are comfortable on TikTok might also want to explore opportunities RedNote–or at least research it.
For me, personally and professionally, I’m not on TikTok and have never heard of RedNote.
The thing to realize is that the typical user of TikTok or similar platforms is not in the least bit concerned about the things that are behind the ban on those platforms. They just want to get their videos out, and are not concerned so much about strict privacy or national security.
There is a lot to unpack here which is outside the scope of this forum. I think if there was a Venn Diagram of vested interests and absolutes you would see at every corner the same thematic approach in every group/category/identity marker - as much as we talk about saving the earth - none of us consume any less or very few of us do. As much as we currently talk about carbon emissions, our origins in industrialization have been a major contributing factor in this regard and now we’re trying to impose limits on industrialization elsewhere. Of course, all this is tied into multiple tiers of complication. And it doesn’t really matter which side of the argument one falls on - the thematic impulse is the same. I’m just as much a hypocrite as much as the next guy or next tiktok user - just very differently - and perhaps that is difference maker but that is another argument.
Incumbent takes office on the 20th (MLK/Inaugration?)
Even if the President issues and executive order delaying the ban - its a Congressional law with overwhelming bi-partisan support which can’t be overturned?
On my own part, I’ll be (pleasantly) surprised if we learn Tik Tok’s ultimate fate in the U.S. marketspace - despite the pending offers on the table from certain deep-pocketed America-domiciled investors for an acquisition sans access to control of its current algorithm(s) - in such a short, expedient fashion, because:
We The People have seen this movie a time, or two, or more before (citational references available upon request).
Semantically, in this situation I don’t think incoming is incumbent since incoming had a period of not holding the office.
As it stands, users trading one predatory-algorithm short-form-video social media site held by the Chinese for a different (possibly?) predatory-algorithm short-form-video social media held by the Chinese is a shell game and a matter of time before research turns to that instead.
I’ve been reading that TikTokers are moving to RedNote not because they see it is a viable alternative but as a protest, basically saying “I dont care if the Chinese government has access to my data and hooks in my device, don’t take my TikTok!”
Puts a different, not necessarily better, spin on things.
Noyb said Alibaba’s (9988.HK), opens new tab e-commerce site AliExpress, retailer Shein, TikTok and phone maker Xiaomi admit to sending Europeans’ personal data to China, citing transparency reports and other documents, while retailer Temu and Tencent’s (0700.HK), opens new tab messenger app WeChat transfer data to undisclosed “third countries” likely China.
No matter what, ecommerce sellers who are comfortable on TikTok might also want to explore opportunities RedNote–or at least research it.