Is RedNote Safe? Here’s What Millions Of TikTok Users Need To Know

With a possible TikTok ban looming, many U.S. users are flocking to Chinese social media app RedNote. So much so that RedNote’s popularity is surging, with the app heading for the top spot on the U.S. Apple App Store.

Known as TikTok refugees, users moving to RedNote have been greeted warmly by their Chinese counterparts. However, some are already facing teething issues, according to TechCrunch, which reports TikTok refugees are having their new RedNote accounts frozen or suspended.

However, as TikTok users set up RedNote accounts in droves, there are several considerations, including the privacy of your data when using the China-based app. Here’s what you need to know.

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What Is RedNote And Why Are TikTok Users Choosing It?

Xiaohongshu, or Little Red Book, also known as RedNote, is a social media platform touted as China's answer to Instagram. It’s not exactly like TikTok, in fact TechCrunch calls it a “Chinese Yelp or Google alternative offering local recommendations and nearby connections in addition to the video feed.”

TikTok refugees are choosing RedNote because of the short video feed aspect, with some saying they will even learn mandarin to fit in with the platform’s Chinese user base.

TikTok users are also shunning Facebook and Instagram after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerburg announced the platforms would no longer use fact checkers. It comes after an X exodus to BlueSky as users protest the platform’s terms of service and other changes made by its owner Elon Musk.

RedNote has 300 million users, according to research firm Qian Gua — and a large percentage of these are young women.

In June 2018, the Alibaba Group and Tencent invested $300 million in Xiaohongshu, with a valuation of $3 billion.

RedNote has already faced controversy. That same year, RedNote attracted an influx of overseas users but apparently faced regulatory problems and its app store shelves were suspended.

In December 2022, the government of Taiwan banned public sector employees from using Xiaohongshu on official devices due to national security concerns.

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What Do RedNote’s Terms And Conditions Say?

It’s already widely-known that TikTok collects a lot of data. This is one of the main concerns fuelling the potential U.S. ban. But RedNote is no better — and it comes with additional risks.

According to RedNote’s privacy policy, the platform collects a large amount of data including sensitive information such as your location via your IP address, browsing habits and more. Adding to this, RedNote’s terms and conditions are in mandarin, and users are struggling to convert them into English, despite the fact it is apparently possible.

Experts warn of the risks of sharing your data without careful consideration,“RedNote might seem like a quick fix for TikTok fans ahead of its potential ban in the U.S., but it comes with serious cybersecurity and privacy risks,” says Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN.

Like TikTok, RedNote is subject to Chinese data laws. This may grant government authorities access to user data without the privacy protections expected in the U.S., says Warmenhoven. “The platform collects extensive personal data, including location, browsing activity, and device-specific information like IP addresses. It can also share this data with third-party service providers or government authorities, raising concerns about user privacy,” he says.

I contacted RedNote for a comment and will update this article if the firm responds.

TikTok And RedNote — Privacy And Beyond

People must be reminded that all apps, including TikTok for, collect lots of information, says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET. “Social media apps are fueled by data and learn how people consume content to fine tune the algorithm. It is sold to advertisers and other third parties depending on the geographical laws.”

Adding to this, Warmenhoven highlights RedNote’s “lack of transparency, due to the fact its terms and conditions are mainly in Mandarin. “It leaves non-Chinese-speaking users unclear about what data is collected and how it’s used. This makes it difficult for users to make informed decisions about their privacy.”

Beyond privacy, there are concerns about content censorship, experts point out. “RedNote’s content moderation policies may align with Chinese government standards, potentially stifling free speech and exposing users to biased information,” says Warmenhoven.

To protect your privacy while using RedNote, limit the personal information you share, and review the app’s privacy settings to restrict data collection, says Warmenhoven.

However he thinks social media users should think twice before switching to RedNote. “The same privacy, transparency, and national security concerns that led to the TikTok debate are likely to apply here.”

It’s easy to see why TikTok users are moving to RedNote — and interactions between U.S. and Chinese users have been a fun way to pass the time. But if you care about security and privacy, join RedNote at your own risk and be very careful about the data you share.