By Jonathan Baker The suspense that has been gnawing at TikTok users everywhere has come to its conclusion. After a never-ending debate over potential threats this social media app could pose to national security, the Supreme Court has reached its decision: The ban is being upheld. The Ruling Charles Savage reported in The New York Times on the Supreme Court’s rejection of TikTok’s first amendment challenge to the law. The ban on this app could take effect as early as this Sunday. (Ironically, one of the sources where the proceedings were streamed live were from TikTok itself.) Reactions Not surprisingly, this ruling has been met with extreme criticism from everyone. Advocates for free speech and social media users everywhere condemn the Supreme Court’s decision. The American Civil Liberties Union has issued a statement claiming that: “…the government to shut down an entire platform and the free speech rights of so many based on fear-mongering and speculation.” Devastation Felt by TikTok Users Many of the 170 million registered TikTok users are naturally disappointed, panicked, and experiencing every other pessimistic feeling imaginable. Acknowledging the “writing on the wall,” one TikTok user posted: “Is everybody on RedNote?” Yes, this is a sign of what’s happening. Riding Over to Red Note Enter Xiaohongshu, another China-based social media app which translates to “Little Red Book” in English and has been further edited to “RedNote.” The ongoing arguments in Washington D.C. have inspired many users in this country to seek out RedNote. And we do mean many… RedNote Goes into the Red How popular is RedNote becoming? As of Tuesday, January 14th, the number of downloads put this platform in first place on Apple’s US App Store. As with Lemon8, another Chinese-based app, social media users from all over the country are flocking nearly en masse to RedNote. Since this app is based in China, could history repeat itself? Will RedNote eventually face suspicions over national security? These questions lead to another debate. The Difference Between RedNote and TikTok As already established, TikTok was suspected of following registered users in America. RedNote, on the other hand, focuses on topics like travel, makeup, and fashion. As pointed out in CNN, the key feature in both are content algorithms. In short, while TikTok focused on users, RedNote targets interests and hobbies. Despite this difference, there are concerns that the risks posed by TikTok may exist for RedNote (and Lemon8). Potential Risks of RedNote A panel of experts expressed their opinions to Newsweek on the security concerns of RedNote in the U.S. One of them, Aynne Kokas, Professor of Media Studies and the C.K. Yen Professor at the Miller Center at the University of Virginia, points out that China’s overseeing of RedNote receives the same level given to TikTok. The potential for increased security concerns would therefore correlate with how many users register on the app. Further irony: Even residents of Beijing ponder why anyone would trust RedNote more than TikTok! So, despite the exploding popularity of RedNote, brands once strong on TikTok should avoid jumping on this new app’s bandwagon. Socializing with a Variety of Social Media Platforms Anyone—brands, businesses, influencers, and content creators—that relied on TikTok for revenue must seek out and develop a presence and following on other platforms. Along with RedNote, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn are several strong social media sites that will help boost a brand’s presence. The EGC Group understands how this ruling will impact and affect many who relied on TikTok. Feel free to contact us for assistance. Whether you need counsel or help in adapting to other social sites, we will keep your brand strong and visible.
