Taiwan has announced a one-year ban on the popular Chinese social media app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, due to concerns over online shopping scams.
The island’s Criminal Investigation Bureau reported detecting more than 1,700 fraud cases linked to the app since last year, with total losses exceeding NT$247 million (£5.9 million; $7.9 million). Taiwan’s internet service providers have been instructed to block access, impacting at least three million local users.
RedNote is a TikTok-like platform that integrates social media with shopping features. Taiwanese authorities cited repeated failures by the app’s operators to submit a plan addressing cybersecurity concerns. The company does not maintain a local office, further complicating regulatory oversight.
Taiwanese users attempting to access the app now see a message stating it is unavailable due to “security restrictions.” Reports indicate the ban aims to protect users from fraud while ensuring compliance with data security standards.
Launched in 2013, Xiaohongshu has grown to hundreds of millions of users worldwide, particularly in Asia. Its popularity surged in the U.S. this year as some users looked for TikTok alternatives amid government threats to ban the Chinese platform.
The temporary ban also reflects wider concerns about Beijing’s use of social media to influence public opinion and spread disinformation. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under control.
Xiaohongshu has faced additional pressure from Chinese regulators. In September, authorities called for “strict punishment” of the company’s management over “negative” content on the platform.
