Ripple Effect: TikTok Ban Attempts Prompt Surge in Chinese App Interest
As of now, the Supreme Court has not made a final decision regarding the potential ban of TikTok. However, users of the popular app are not waiting idly; they are actively exploring alternatives.
In recent days, apps like Clapper, Flip, and TikTok’s own Lemon8 have seen a significant rise in popularity among users. The front-runner, Xiaohongshu, has gained over 700,000 new users, marking a noteworthy shift in the digital landscape.
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The U.S. government's intentions behind the proposed TikTok ban have been clear: to protect American users from Chinese influence and safeguard their data. However, critics argue that this effort has backfired spectacularly.
Xiaohongshu, which translates to "Little Red Book," has turned the situation on its head by becoming increasingly popular among Americans. While it’s primarily a Chinese platform similar to Instagram, new users are willingly subjecting themselves to data tracking on it, despite its controversial content policies, such as censorship of topics like Tiananmen Square and limited information searches on figures like Xi Jinping.
One TikTok user recently advised new users of Xiaohongshu to avoid mentioning democracy, particularly noting, "If you’re Taiwanese and on Xiaohongshu, you are now Chinese. Sorry." Surprisingly, this guidance was met with agreement rather than dissent, showcasing a shift in user mindset.
Moreover, the attempted ban has only amplified American curiosity about China. A surge of users is now engaging in learning Mandarin either through interaction with Xiaohongshu users or tools like Duolingo, which has reported a 216 percent increase in new users learning Chinese.
An enthusiastic user remarked, "Started learning in Duolingo and from creators on Red Note," and noted the addition of a Chinese keyboard on their device. Another commented, "Downloaded Red Note and had my first Duolingo Chinese lesson this morning."
"oh so NOW you're learning Mandarin," read a playful post from Duolingo’s official account in response to this newfound interest.
According to Monica Earle, a spokesperson for Duolingo, they've noticed a "corresponding spike" in users citing TikTok as their motivation to start learning Chinese, demonstrating the unintended yet profound ripple effects stemming from the TikTok ban discussions.