Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have announced a ban on Rednote, a popular social media platform among Chinese-speaking communities, a move that has sparked a widespread push-back, making the platform a top download on the island.
The DPP authorities imposed a one-year ban on the platform last week, citing a so-called "failure to pass information security monitoring" and alleged links to fraud cases.
A surge in downloads has propelled Rednote to the top of the chart among all social media apps in China's Taiwan region over the weekend. The app boasts over 3 million users in Taiwan, a region with a population of 23 million. The majority of users use the app to seek tips on fashion, beauty, travel, and other parts of everyday life.
"I watch content about travel, fashion, or topics like fitness and nutrition. If I am traveling somewhere, I feel like I can get more useful tips from Rednote than just watching reels on Instagram or videos from YouTubers. If it really gets banned, I would lose a resource that I find quite handy," said a resident in Taipei.
"I think it would genuinely be quite a pity. As the internet is very developed now, the fastest, most convenient place for everyone to get information is online. We are all very familiar with using these social platforms. Many people are using them. If it were suddenly blocked, it would mean losing a source of information," another resident said.
Based on his own experience, claims of widespread "fraud" appear unsubstantiated, the first interviewee said.
"With the features I use, I have not come across any scam-related or suspected scam content," he added.
Founded in 2013, Rednote initially focused on shopping tips but has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle platform, blending social media and e-commerce. Users can share content and purchase products directly through the app, creating a seamless shopping experience.
Taiwan's Rednote ban backfires as app tops download charts
