The possibility of TikTok being banned in the US has led to new balances on social media platforms. Another social media app based in China, RedNote, has increased its popularity amid this debate and has become the most downloaded app in the US app store[1]. The app Xiaohongshu, which is in Chinese, has more than 400 million users. The app, which has become widely used in China in the past 5 years, was designed as if it foresaw the end of TikTok and started serving users in English. Nearly 70% of its users are women—the Chinese benefit greatly from the RedNote app during international and domestic travel.
RedNote offers users features like sharing short videos, adding interactive lights, and creating communities. Experts state that this development shows that the demand for Chinese-based digital applications in the US market continues and that users in the US can quickly adapt to new alternatives.
A ban on TikTok in the US could push millions of users away from the platform, causing significant changes in their social media habits. Users are actively researching alternative apps that could replace TikTok. RedNote is a strong candidate to attract some of TikTok’s user base to its platform. The app’s developers have made a quick exit by offering a user-friendly experience.
Green Light to TikTok from the New US National Security Advisor
The new US National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, made an important statement about the ban on TikTok. Waltz said, “If firewalls are created regarding data protection, the fact that TikTok is owned by a company based in China will not be a concern.”[2] This statement could be one of the turning points that could pave the way for TikTok to reopen in the US. However, how much of this information reflects the truth remains a question mark.
TikTok was banned in the US by the Supreme Court due to national security concerns. The government took action on the possibility that TikTok may have connections to the Chinese government and that user data could be shared without permission. However, TikTok says it has put its US-based servers into service and has assured that the data will be kept in the US. Waltz’s statements indicate that the US government is developing a strategy to get TikTok online. This will be estimated to significantly affect US social media users and the companies’ high-volume advertising revenues.
International Repercussions of TikTok’s Ban
The impact of the TikTok ban is deeply affecting not only the US but also China, the home country of TikTok. TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world and is considered a symbol of the success of the Chinese technology sector internationally. Sanctions against TikTok could also increase pressure on China’s digital strategies. On the other hand, these bans could create new opportunities for US-based social media platforms. Domestic platforms will likely fill the gap if TikTok loses its share in the US market.
Sources
[1] https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326841.shtml?id=11
[2] https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327183.shtml
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