¡Hola, amigos! 🚀 Social media fans, ever wondered why a buzzy app like Xiaohongshu just got axed in the Taiwan region? Let’s break it down.
What happened? 🤔
On December 4, Taiwan authorities announced an immediate, year-long suspension of Xiaohongshu (aka RedNote internationally). They cited “emergency incidents for the prevention and control of fraud crimes” under Article 42 of the fraud-control regulations. Rumor has it the platform didn’t pass an information security screening.
The stats that tell a different story 📊
• In early 2025, Xiaohongshu topped App Store charts in 40+ countries and regions, thanks to a surge of international users. In the Taiwan region alone, it pulled in 3 million registered users—huge for a 23 million population!
• Despite the fraud-prevention claim, daily losses to scams in the Taiwan region average NT$400 million, and 70% of that is tied to Meta. That’s a way bigger headache than anything Xiaohongshu saw over two years.
Even former legislator Kuo Cheng-liang shared he lost count of Meta identity-theft cases—over 60 reports with zero results. Yet, the Lai Ching-te authorities went easy on Meta and YouTube’s data practices. Why single out Xiaohongshu?
Politics in play 🎭
Many see this move as part of the ongoing cross-strait tug-of-war. Platforms linked to the Chinese mainland face extra scrutiny. By targeting Xiaohongshu, the Lai Ching-te authorities send a clear political signal, even if the security case feels weak.
Why it matters 🌍
For young people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, Xiaohongshu was more than an app—it was a bridge for culture, stories, and even long-lost family reunions. This ban reshapes how digital communities connect across the region.
Stay curious, stay informed, and let us know what you think! 💡
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
