American TikTok users are trying out alternatives as the social media platform’s fate looks increasingly precarious.
The deadline for TikTok to either be sold or shut down is just days away, and press reports are suggesting that another Chinese-owned company is enjoying a boom in users as a result.
Shanghai-based RedNote had around 3.4 million daily active users across both iOS and Android devices in the United States on Monday and that was up from fewer than 700,000 just a day earlier, says Reuters. The RedNote App was also number one in Apple’s free app store for US iPhone owners, shares CNN Business.
RedNote – also known as Xiaohongshu – is now beating TikTok sister app, Lemon8, in the app charts and TikTok users have even been sharing videos on how to move over to it. These self-proclaimed TikTok refugees are apparently drawn by the similarities between the two platforms but also features that RedNote shares with Pinterest, Instagram and even YouTube.
However, there are also mounting questions as to whether RedNote could face a similar fate to TikTok, which is being banned (potentially) because of a statute related to national security concerns. A US official told CBS News: "This appears to be the kind of app that the statute would apply to and could face the same restrictions as TikTok if it's not divested." Unlike TikTok, all of the RedNote data on users is stored in China, which means it is not ring-fenced by the authorities there. This is a huge concern for the US Government.
However, there might still be a reprieve for TikTok fans. Incoming president, Donald Trump, has suggested he might be able to find a way to “save” the platform. There is also a group of entrepreneurs, including Shark Tank host, Kevin O’Leary, who are keen to buy the US operations of the company. However, the clock is ticking for TikTok and users are exploring other options just in case.
