As TikTok faces existential threats in Western markets, its community flees to RedNote — the international version of Xiaohongshu. It’s a lifestyle haven: glossy posts, curated recommendations and a familiar influencer culture.
But dig a little deeper, and the reality becomes far more insidious. RedNote isn’t just another app; it’s a tightly controlled platform that exports censorship, reshapes youth culture, and quietly undermines the democratic ideals its community takes for granted.
TikTok And RedNote: Freedom In Disguise
RedNote’s appeal lies in its resemblance to TikTok — a space for creativity, self-expression and viral content.
However, where TikTok is a freewheeling marketplace of ideas, RedNote operates within a fundamentally different framework. As a Chinese-owned platform, its privacy policy and community guidelines aren’t just corporate boilerplate; they’re a statement of compliance with China’s strict regulatory and censorship laws. Every post, like, and comment exists in an ecosystem designed to prioritize “core socialist values” over freedom of speech.
For Westerners, especially younger ones, this reality is initially invisible. Over time, RedNote’s content moderation creates an environment where dissent is suppressed and self-censorship flourishes. For instance, posts addressing politically sensitive issues, such as criticism of Chinese cybersecurity laws or advocacy for human rights in Xinjiang, have reportedly been flagged or removed. In a report by China Digital Times, RedNote’s (Xiaohongshu) content moderation includes strict guidelines for handling “sudden incidents,” a term used to describe politically or socially sensitive topics. A leaked internal document revealed that the platform actively censors discussions that could be deemed controversial or destabilizing, aligning its practices with China’s broader regulatory framework.
This systematic approach conditions young people to self-censor and avoid raising sensitive topics altogether, creating an environment where control is exercised subtly but pervasively. Over time, such practices redraw the boundaries of what young people consider safe or acceptable to discuss. According to Reuter’s, the platform’s algorithms prioritize content aligned with state-approved narratives while suppressing more controversial viewpoints, effectively redrawing the boundaries of acceptable thought.
TikTok And RedNote: The Illusion Of Consent
The danger lies in normalizing this trade-off. Young people, often eager for connection and expression, may not fully grasp what they consent to. RedNote’s privacy policy explicitly states that the platform collects a wide range of personal information, including location data, browsing habits, and interactions with content. Additionally, it tracks device information, such as IP addresses and device identifiers, to “enhance user experience.” While this may seem routine, the policy also grants the platform the right to share this data with “third-party service providers” or “relevant government authorities,” raising significant privacy concerns.
Trading access for autonomy—whether through extensive data collection or content moderation—creates a dangerous precedent. Subtle prompts during onboarding or daily use might seem harmless, like agreeing to vague terms or allowing personalized recommendations, but these interactions steadily erode user autonomy. Moreover, RedNote’s terms include provisions to “maintain a safe and harmonious community environment,” a phrase that aligns closely with China’s strict regulatory framework.
Over time, the illusion of freedom—where people feel in control but operate within tightly defined boundaries—risks becoming the new standard for social media. Consent without transparency isn’t freedom; it’s a one-sided agreement that grants platforms control, cloaked in the illusion of choice. On RedNote, people unwittingly trade autonomy for curated convenience, setting a dangerous precedent for the future of digital engagement.
RedNote: Hijacking Youth Culture
The most troubling aspect of RedNote’s rise is its influence on young people. This generation grew up with social media as a megaphone for individuality and activism. But what happens when that megaphone is muted? Platforms like RedNote aren’t alone in their influence on youth; concerns about social media and adolescent mental health have been well-documented.
RedNote’s algorithms do more than recommend content — they shape perceptions. By prioritizing sanitized, state-approved narratives, they normalize conformity and discourage the kind of questioning that fuels progress. According to the New York Times, in live group chats under the hashtag “#TikTokRefugee,” participants discussed topics like urban safety and censorship, often sharing tips on how to “play by the rules” to avoid bans — tacitly normalizing self-censorship as a survival tactic.
At first glance, the forum seemed open and lively, with people sharing tips on navigating RedNote’s Mandarin-based interface or debating cultural differences. But the platform’s design subtly influenced the conversation. Posts addressing politically sensitive issues, such as the Chinese government’s role in internet regulation, were flagged or quietly removed.
Meanwhile, comments from Chinese people frequently reinforced the narrative that RedNote was “a safe and harmonious space” for discussions, reflecting the state-approved language used across the platform. This juxtaposition of guarded curiosity from Westerners and state-sanctioned optimism from Chinese people reveals the platform’s engineered boundaries for acceptable dialogue. Even the appearance of a freewheeling exchange is carefully curated, subtly conditioning participants to adapt to its constraints.
Young people, drawn by influencers and trends, may not realize they’re engaging with a platform that subtly conditions them to accept limits on their freedom. Influencers on RedNote who gain popularity tend to avoid politically sensitive topics to maintain their standing on the platform. As these behaviors are modeled for younger audiences, the boundaries of permissible discourse are reinforced, creating a culture where conformity is rewarded, and challenging the status quo is discouraged.
The result? A generation less inclined to challenge authority or fight for democratic ideals.
RedNote: A Broader Threat to Democracy
RedNote isn’t just a risk to individuals; it’s a risk to societies. The platform’s rapid growth among Westerners represents a subtle but significant shift in the global digital landscape. By exporting a content control and surveillance model, RedNote challenges the open exchange of ideas on which democracy depends.
This isn’t fearmongering; it reflects the platform’s design. RedNote collects vast amounts of user data, operates under laws requiring cooperation with Chinese authorities, and employs content moderation practices that align with state interests.
Platforms like RedNote are a perfect storm for younger people, whose brains are still developing, particularly in areas like impulse control and critical thinking. AI systems are being engineered to exploit psychological weaknesses with surgical precision, shaping behavior, emotions, and perceptions in ways that the community themselves may not fully understand.
The result? A generation molded by algorithms designed to reward conformity, stifle dissent and embed surveillance into their daily lives—all under the guise of connection and inspiration. It’s like pitting the developing human frontal lobe against an AI optimized for manipulation—a deeply unbalanced equation with far-reaching implications.
As RedNote gains traction, it becomes a gateway for authoritarian influence, subtly but profoundly reshaping cultural and political landscapes far beyond its borders.
Joining RedNote has also brought Westerners closer to Chinese citizens than ever before. While this cross-cultural dialogue is unique, it occurs within a controlled environment, shaping perceptions in subtle but significant ways. By presenting a curated view of acceptable content, RedNote risks creating a global audience accustomed to censorship as the norm.
Protecting The Future
The rise of RedNote demands action—not panic, but thoughtful, decisive measures to safeguard people and democratic principles. Governments must lead the charge by enforcing transparency and establishing global digital privacy and data sovereignty standards. Collaboration between nations could help regulate platforms like RedNote, ensuring accountability for data-sharing practices and compliance with international human rights standards.
Educators and parents also play a critical role. Schools must integrate digital literacy into their curriculums, teaching young people to recognize platform biases, question what they consume, and understand the risks of unchecked online behavior. Parents should reinforce this at home, encouraging open conversations about digital safety and the importance of critical thinking in online spaces.
But the most immediate power lies with individuals. People must begin asking hard questions about the platforms they trust:
- Who owns them?
- What are they doing with our data?
- Most importantly, who are the interests they truly serve?
Governments must enforce transparency, and educators and parents must prepare young people to navigate these platforms critically. Experts have highlighted strategies for creating safer digital environments to protect kids from these risks.
By demanding platforms that reflect their values and foster genuine creativity, communities can help reshape the digital landscape into one that prioritizes freedom over control.
RedNote: What’s Next
RedNote might look like the next big thing, but its impact reaches far beyond hashtags and trending posts. It’s not just an app—it’s a test of how we, as a global society, respond to the digital challenges of our time.
Governments must act swiftly to enforce transparency, establish global data privacy standards, and hold platforms accountable for their practices. Educators and parents must equip young people with the tools to critically evaluate digital platforms, empowering them to navigate an increasingly complex online world with informed skepticism. But the power to shape the future doesn’t rest with institutions alone. It’s in the hands of people who demand platforms that reflect their values, foster genuine creativity, and uphold democratic principles.
The future of the internet is being written today. Recognizing the risks and acting decisively could transform RedNote into a wake-up call for a better, freer digital tomorrow. RedNote is a wake-up call to scrutinize the platforms we trust—because the choices we make today will shape the freedoms we live with tomorrow.