American TikTok Users Face Chinese-Style Censorship Challenges on RedNote
As TikTok faces potential bans in the United States, a wave of users has been migrating to Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, a Chinese social media platform. The influx of “TikTok refugees” has sparked cultural exchange, but also raised challenges as new users encounter China’s strict content moderation policies for the first time.
A Warm Welcome for Some
Heather Roberts, an American artist with a significant TikTok following, praised the positive interactions on RedNote, describing the experience as a bridge between cultures. “The Chinese people are not so different from us,” she said. “This is really bringing us together. It’s a beautiful thing.”
For many users, RedNote has been an opportunity to connect with people in China, fostering a sense of shared humanity.
Frustrations With Censorship
However, the transition has not been seamless for all. Several users have expressed frustration with the platform’s censorship rules, which extend beyond typical restrictions on violent content or hate speech.
One user was censored after asking whether RedNote welcomed LGBTQ+ individuals, while another was frustrated when his fitness photos were removed. Chinese users suggested covering his chest, explaining that such imagery is often restricted for being sexually suggestive.
Posts about Japanese anime series My Hero Academia—previously censored in China for historical references—were also removed, surprising many new users unfamiliar with the platform’s restrictions.
Striking a Cultural Balance
RedNote has responded to the influx of non-Chinese users by hiring English-speaking moderators and enhancing its tools for managing English-language content. According to reports, the platform is racing to adapt to the needs of its new audience while adhering to China’s internet regulations.
Job postings for moderators and “innovation operation interns” emphasize the importance of promoting a “healthy content ecosystem” in English. While some postings have been removed, the urgency reflects RedNote’s struggle to balance its domestic policies with the expectations of its new international users.
Political Sensitivities
Navigating China’s content rules has been a learning curve for many new users. Some Chinese users have encouraged American newcomers to accept Beijing’s stance on sensitive issues, including Taiwan’s sovereignty – a point of significant political contention.
Ivy Yang, a China tech analyst, sees the migration as an opportunity for cultural exchange. “It’s a self-selective group of curious users who are open to learning about the other side of the digital firewall,” Yang said. “This could be a chance for meaningful engagement, but it’s not without its challenges.”
A Mixed Experience
Despite the censorship, some American users, like Jeremy Fraga from Texas, have embraced RedNote wholeheartedly. Fraga described the platform as a way to connect deeply with Chinese culture, even introducing it to his children. “It’s challenged my worldview,” he said. “I think this might become my new digital home, even if TikTok doesn’t get banned.”
As RedNote navigates the complexities of its growing international audience, it remains to be seen whether the platform can successfully balance the demands of two vastly different online cultures.
