‘TikTok Refugees’ are Joining Chinese App Rednote
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As the possibility of a TikTok ban grows, many TikTok users in the U.S. are turning to another Chinese app called Xiaohongshu. This has recently made it the most downloaded app in the U.S.
Some of these users, who now call themselves “TikTok refugees,” are choosing Xiaohongshu as a way to protest the possible TikTok ban.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide on a rule that says TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, must sell the app by January 19. If not, TikTok could be banned in the U.S. because of national security concerns. After court discussions suggested the rule may remain, many TikTok users started signing up for Xiaohongshu. They use hashtags like #tiktokrefugee and #tiktok in their posts. Since Monday, the app has become the most downloaded free app on Apple’s App Store in the U.S.
Xiaohongshu, which means “Little Red Book,” is a Chinese app that combines shopping, short videos, and posts. It’s very popular in China and places with many Chinese people. The app has about 300 million active users each month. Most are young women who use it to find product reviews, travel tips, restaurant ideas, and makeup or skincare tutorials.
The hashtag #tiktokrefugee has been used in over 160,000 posts on Xiaohongshu. Many of these posts are videos where American users introduce themselves and ask for advice on how to use the app, which they are now calling “RedNote.”
Vocabulary and Phrases: possibility (the chance something could happen), refugees (people who seek shelter or safety in another place), protest (an action to express disapproval), Supreme Court (the highest court in a country), parent company (a company that owns or controls other companies)
With the growing possibility of a TikTok ban in the United States, a significant number of TikTok users are shifting their attention to another Chinese application known as Xiaohongshu. This shift has led Xiaohongshu to become the most downloaded app in the U.S. at present.
Some users, referring to themselves as ‘TikTok refugees,’ view their move to Xiaohongshu as a form of protest against the looming ban on TikTok.
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule on a regulation that mandates ByteDance, TikTok’s parent firm, to divest from the app by January 19. Failure to do so could result in TikTok being prohibited in the U.S. due to national security issues. Following signals from court deliberations that the regulation may persist, numerous TikTok users began registering with Xiaohongshu. They employ hashtags such as #tiktokrefugee and #tiktok in their communications. Since Monday, Xiaohongshu has risen to become the most downloaded free application on Apple’s App Store in the U.S.
Xiaohongshu, translating to “Little Red Book,” is a Chinese application that integrates shopping, brief videos, and social posts. It enjoys substantial popularity in China and among Chinese communities elsewhere. The application boasts roughly 300 million monthly active users, predominantly young women who seek out product critiques, travel insights, dining recommendations, and beauty or skincare tutorials.
The hashtag #tiktokrefugee has been featured in over 160,000 posts on Xiaohongshu. Many of these entries are videos where American users introduce themselves and request guidance on navigating the app, now being referred to as “RedNote.”
Vocabulary and Phrases: shift (a change or movement), protest (an action to express disapproval), looming (about to happen, imminent), regulation (a rule or directive made by an authority), mandates (orders or commands), divest (to sell or give up control of something), prohibited (forbidden or not allowed), deliberations (discussions or careful considerations), predominantly (mainly or mostly), guidance (advice or help), navigating (finding one’s way through something)
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