What is RedNote? TikTok ‘refugees’ surge to popular Chinese app ahead of ban [Video]

The impending TikTok ban in the U.S. has prompted a mass migration of “refugee” content creators to alternative social media platforms – and a Chinese app named for Chairman Mao’s “Little Red Book” appears to be the most popular.

Shanghai-based Xiaohongshu, nicknamed RedNote in the U.S., catapulted to the top of the app store in the free apps section this week as social media users fled TikTok in anticipation of its shutdown on Sunday, Jan. 20.

In just two days, more than 700,000 new users joined Xiaohongshu, Reuters reported on Tuesday. 

U.S. downloads of RedNote were up more than 200% year-over-year this week, and 194% from the week prior, according to estimates from app data research firm Sensor Tower, the report said.

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But with that surge in popularity comes a stern warning from one of the top China hawks in Congress, who fears the …