As a TikTok shutdown looms in less than a week, another Chinese app named Xiaohongshu, or RedNote in English, has gained sudden popularity in the United States as people continue to look for alternatives.
If ByteDance does not sell TikTok by Jan. 19, the app will be illegal for distribution through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Internet service providers will also be required to make the app inaccessible to U.S. internet browsers.
But TikTok is not going down without a fight. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the possible shutdown, but according to experts, the court will most likely decide to allow the ban to come into effect based on national security.
Among all free iPhone apps, RedNote currently sits as the top social networking app on the Apple app store rankings. Here is what you need to know about RedNote.
What is RedNote?
Launched in 2013, RedNote has become one of China’s fastest-growing social platforms, with a value of over $17 billion, according to the Financial Times.
Known as Xiaohongshu, which translates to “little red book,” RedNote features a layout similar to Pinterest and is often described as a Chinese version of Instagram. According to TechCrunch, the app’s focus on short-term content, similar to TikTok, has helped it emerge as a viable alternative.
So what’s the deal with TikTok?
TikTok and its China-based parent company ByteDance are attempting to block a law signed by President Joe Biden that will ban the short-form video app beginning Jan. 19, unless it sells its U.S. operation due to national security concerns. The social media giant has requested the Supreme Court to pause the ban during the legal process, and while the justices heard arguments last week, a decision has yet to be announced.
If the ban takes effect next Sunday, Apple and Google will no longer be able to offer TikTok for downloads for new users, but existing users will still be able to access the app. The U.S. government and TikTok agree that the app would degrade and eventually become unusable over time because companies would not be able to offer support services.
Contributing: USA TODAY’s Karissa Waddick, Greta Cross and Reuters
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
