With the temporary ban on TikTok in January and the following extension until April 5, many users started to look for more stable platforms. There has been a move to platforms, most notably, Chinese social media platforms Rednote and Lemon8 have exploded in popularity. By banning TikTok, the federal government has just increased American accounts on Chinese social media platforms.
The main issue is that the Chinese government has strict censorship laws, and could hypothetically control what is viewed on Rednote. This, plus the Chinese government’s access to users’ data, is why lawmakers tried to ban TikTok, citing it as a national security concern.
In a leaked document, Rednote details what they remove from the site with no expectations, including, “Sensitive societal incidents and expressions of public opinion. Societal incidents that could trigger political or social unrest and threaten national security. Widespread public criticism or suggestions targeted at the Chinese Communist Party and government institutions.”
Other parts of their terms and service they say, “Content that attacks or slanders party and national leaders fabricates negative information about leaders or misuses their images.” Later on saying, “Additionally, terms related to sensitive political topics concerning the Chinese government are also prohibited, in order to maintain peace among citizens and avoid events that could disrupt political stability.”
In practical terms, users cannot disagree with the government and its policies, resulting in only positive stories about China. As most people just passively consume social media, politicians are worried about how it will affect the public opinion of the Chinese government and communism.
Additionally, Rednote is free to take down any opinions, regardless of whether they are about the Communist Party. Generally, it seems like they are removing anything that could be socially controversial, like issues around gender and dress. Several people have had posts removed for either being shirtless as a guy or wearing a lower-cut shirt. One Chinese user even said, “Welcome, but do not say anything about LGBTQ+. Thank you!”
Something that further complicates the problem with censorship is that Rednote terms of services are in Mandarin. If an American user were to try to find out why a post had been taken down, they would need to find a translated version of the terms of service, which might not be accurate. If they wanted to contest the censorship, they would need to contact the Rednote team in a request form, in Mandarin.
The Positives
In China, most major social medias are banned, meaning American and Chinese citizens are not interacting with each other. For most people, unless they have friend or family who live in China, they are only talking with Chinese immigrants, in person or online. Most of the reporting in America about China is negative, so most people have a negative view of China as a whole. When these factors combine, it means that citizens do not have natural positive relations with their counterparts across the ocean.
Sharing a common social media can aid in bridging this gap. It opens the door for information to be share, letting people figure out their similarities and differences. Culture, traditions, perspective, and humor are all easily shared on social media, it’s like the 21st century melting pot of society. Despite language differences, hostile governments, and the Pacific Ocean, social media can bring us together.
Final Ruling
The move to Rednote does raise concerns about national security and what Americans are viewing. But it can also increase cultural awareness and friendships. The federal government needs to decide at what point do they draw the line for national security concerns, and until they decide every American needs to figure out if the potential for risk is worth it.
