As the US Supreme Court deliberates on the future of TikTok, a wave of American users is finding refuge on Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform. Dubbed “TikTok refugees,” they are downloading the app in droves, making it the most downloaded free app on Apple’s App Store in the US.
The Supreme Court is set to rule on a law requiring TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by January 19 or face a nationwide ban. Anticipating the worst, many TikTok users are joining Xiaohongshu, known in English as “Little Red Book,” and tagging their posts with hashtags like #TikTokRefugee.
A platform for connection and protest
Xiaohongshu blends e-commerce, short videos, and posts, boasting 300 million monthly active users globally. While it was primarily popular among young women in China, Malaysia, and Taiwan, the app is now seeing an influx of American users—many of whom are using it to protest the potential TikTok ban.
“I’m here to spite our government and learn about China,” said an American user with the handle Definitelynotchippy in a video addressed to Chinese users. She described the move as a form of trolling, adding, “We decided to piss off our government and download an actual Chinese app.”
Bridging cultures amid tensions
Interactions between Chinese and American users on Xiaohongshu have been largely positive, with cultural exchanges flourishing. Chinese users are offering tips on navigating the app and teaching Chinese, while Americans are helping with English homework and learning about Chinese culture.
“We are not enemies; we are human beings living in one world!” commented a Chinese user on a post by Amanda, a TikTok refugee. Amanda, who has started adding Chinese subtitles to her posts, said, “I am so happy to talk to Chinese people and learn about your culture.”
A community at risk
For TikTok users like Alexis Garman, the potential ban represents more than losing an app—it’s the loss of a digital community. “TikTok possibly getting banned doesn’t just take away an app, it takes away jobs, friends, and community,” said Garman, a 21-year-old from Oklahoma with nearly 20,000 followers.
While Xiaohongshu has welcomed American users, its lack of translation features and the heavy censorship typical of Chinese platforms present challenges. However, for now, the app has become a symbol of resistance and a new hub for cultural exchange as TikTok’s future in the US hangs in the balance.