In the United States, people are looking for alternatives to TikTok, and two apps that have gained popularity are Lemon8, created by ByteDance, and RedNote, which is a content-sharing app from Shanghai called Xiaohongshu in China.
As the US government examines a bill that could result in the banning of TikTok, legal experts warn that these emerging platforms may also be subject to investigation.
Potentially affected by this law’s efforts to address security concerns related to apps managed by foreign entities are other social media platforms in the US that are owned by Chinese nationals.
Last night, RedNote was the most downloaded free app in the US iOS store, with Lemon8 right behind.
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In the meantime, ByteDance must divest from TikTok by January 19th or face a possible removal from the US market under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), which the US Supreme Court is about to review.
Despite PAFACA’s narrow focus on TikTok and ByteDance, experts point out the law’s far-reaching consequences. According to Tobin Marcus, head of US policy and politics at Wolfe Research, “The scope of this legislation could extend to other Chinese-owned apps, such as Lemon8 and RedNote.”
If the TikTok ban goes forward, Washington might not approve Chinese alternatives unless those companies drastically alter their ownership structure. Because it is a subsidiary of ByteDance, Lemon8 is bound by PAFACA by definition. Meanwhile, Marcus clarified that the expansion of RedNote’s user base in the US is a key factor in determining the app’s prospective inclusion.
Any app that is owned by foreign entities that is classified as a “security threat” cannot be operated, distributed, or hosted in the US according to the Act.
