RedNote, a Chinese-owned app which has gained enormous popularity and is set to replace TikTok for US users, might have problems of its own.
Cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, Adrianus Warmenhoven said the social media network has lately acquired popularity among users in the US looking for alternatives to TikTok in the face of the imminent ban.
However, Warmenhoven expressed that there were various privacy issues.
"RedNote might seem like a quick fix for TikTok fans ahead of its potential ban in the US, but it comes with serious cybersecurity and privacy risks. Like TikTok, RedNote is subject to Chinese data laws, which may grant government authorities access to user data without the privacy protections expected in the US," he said.
"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."
Warmenhoven said that the app's lack of transparency was a huge red flag – its terms and conditions are primarily in Mandarin.
This supposedly leaves non-Chinese-speaking users unsure of what data is gathered and how it is utilised. This reportedly makes it challenging for people to make educated judgements regarding their privacy.
"All the 'TikTok refugees' are going over to RedNote, signing terms and conditions in Chinese. Baby, y’all are registering for Squid Games," commented Shea Smith on X.
All the “TikTok refugees” are going over to RedNote, signing terms and conditions in Chinese.
— Shea Jordan Smith (@shea_jordan) January 15, 2025
Baby, y’all are registering for Squid Games…
Amid the uncertainty, TikTok stars such as Carrington Bornstein who has millions of followers on the platform are panicking over their impending loss of income and are diversifying on other social media apps.
In a video posted on Instagram, Carrington joked that his life is ruined.
"It sucks because they already have it in China, on TikTok they know who I am... They don't know me, I just look like some guy," he said.
Warmenhoven added: "Beyond privacy, there are concerns about content censorship. RedNote's content moderation policies may align with Chinese government standards, potentially stifling free speech and exposing users to biased information.
“To protect your privacy while using RedNote, limit the personal information you share, and review the app's privacy settings to restrict data collection. To limit your IP address tracking, consider using a VPN."
IOL