At least 700,000 TikTok users in the US have jumped on the Chinese app Xiaohongshu, or Red Note According to the Guardian report, because the US government Ready to ban TikTok starting Sunday? But if you see a video of RedNote's CEO telling you how to use the platform, don't be fooled. Some guy went viral this week for his welcome video on RedNote, but people seem to think he's the boss of the company. The video also appeared on local TV news in New York. But it's just a random RedNote user from Canada.
posted video earlier this weekThere was a man sitting at a table saying that he wanted to make a short video about Xiaohongshu “introducing you guys to this platform.”
“Tip No. 1 We mainly use this platform to search for recommendations such as restaurants, such as department stores. Or even tips on how to put on makeup,” the man said.
for clarity He never claimed to be the CEO of RedNote in the video, and it's hard to understand why people would think that. The video goes on to explain that most people on RedNote speak Chinese, but you should feel free to speak English as needed.
“I would like to say never stop sharing your opinions. Because platforms like Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube, Xiaohongshu should not be banned,” the man said. “Like people are sharing their authentic voices out there, like the wildfires in L.A., about the Gaza Strip. And many other things, right?”
The man continued by emphasizing that it is important to continue creating content on social media platforms.
“This is the voice of a real person. What's more important is that we never stop creating content. That's right, welcome to Xiao Hong Su. Let us know what you think. Let us know what interests you. I can speak both Chinese and English. So feel free to ask me any questions.”
The video is satisfying, and maybe it's so direct that it comes off as authoritative, like a tech CEO might post, but he's not a CEO. RedNote was founded in Shanghai in 2013 by Miranda Qu, the platform's current president, and Charlwin Mao. Current EO Reuters news agency–
local television news station Fox 5 in New York ran a segment that ended with the claim that RedNote's CEO had sent out a welcome video. But from the explanation it is clear that the news agency was deceived.
“Now, Americans on RedNote jokingly describe themselves as TikTok refugees,” journalist Jennifer Williams said in a broadcast on Monday. “RedNote's CEO even created a video welcoming new English-speaking users to the app. too And he encourages them to never stop sharing their voices.”
“All that sound and information,” the news anchor replied with a laugh.
Who is this guy that everyone mistakes for the CEO? His name is Jerry and he shares a RedNote account with his partner Dani. Business Insider– Jerry actually lives in Vancouver, Canada, and from all accounts I don't know why anyone would. Thought he's the CEO of RedNote, he also posts videos on a new account created for TikTok. FakeCEORealGF In an effort to make it clear to others that he does not control RedNote.
“I'm just another regular guy in Vancouver,” Jerry said. “I didn't expect this post to go viral like this. And thank you for all your comments. But let me be clear: I'm not the CEO of RedNote, but what I said in my welcome video still rings true. I sincerely hope you all enjoy this platform.”
Jerry said in the video that he grew up in Shanghai and came to Canada about 10 years ago, while Dani said she is Chinese and grew up in California before moving to Canada.
A US ban on TikTok is set to happen. January 19It was a day before Donald Trump's inauguration, but the U.S. Supreme Court Expect to weigh in before that actually happens. Most court watchers believe it depends on oral arguments. last weekSCOTUS will rule against TikTok and allow the ban to take effect. But no one will know for sure until we have a verdict. And we don't know exactly when that will happen. It could be tomorrow or it could be over the weekend at the last minute. For all we know
In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of Americans are giving RedNote the same opportunity as the US government. TikTok users don't like the idea of being told they can't use the app they love. And migrating to an app owned by someone like Mark Zuckerberg is especially unpalatable to those who view the Meta CEO as a Trump ally.
But US politicians Clearly uneasy about RedNote's changes, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia which is a Democrat Expressed his dissatisfaction with the increase in RedNote registrations in a post on Bluesky.
“I am concerned that Americans are flocking to a number of opposing social media platforms. We also need a comprehensive, risk-based approach to assessing and mitigating the risks of foreign-owned apps,” Warner wrote. Tuesday–
But America's ruling class will have to get comfortable with the American people. It's not just rolling around when their favorite toy is taken away. Because they can claim that China is threatening the “way of life” that America has stood for all day. But that way of life is looking increasingly hopeless and full of hardship. Between the cost of living and the fact that convicted criminals are about to become the most powerful people in the country. Again. The most powerful people in the country. again–