A decision on whether TikTok will be available in the US market is expected to be taken soon. The fate of the service depends on the Supreme Court, which will decide whether the law banning TikTok is allowed or not. Then it will end maximum by January 19th. People on TikTok are already saying goodbye to the service – but also to their “Chinese spies.” It appears gallows humor is coming from affected TikTokers. Almost a joke: many of them switch to another Chinese and much more dubious service.
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The RedNotes app is actually called Xiaohongshu, which means “little red book.” This is probably a reference to the Mao Bible – a little red book that was also widespread in Germany during the Cultural Revolution and in the 1968s. The app is currently at number one in the US download charts, even though the service has been around for years. Actually, the focus of the app is on shopping function. They target wealthy Chinese women who can purchase products from overseas through the app. RedNotes is operated by Xingin Information Technology and is probably no less close to the Chinese government than TikTok’s parent company ByteDance. Unlike TikTok, it has no offices or servers outside China.
Meanwhile, many are already saying goodbye to TikTok, though not by closing the app prematurely, but with warm words towards its “Chinese spies.” The US government has accused TikTok and the Chinese government of spying on and influencing American society through the service. This makes the video service a threat to national security. The farewell is amusing, for example: “No one understands me like my detective.” Or: “Goodbye. I love you, you’re my best friend.”, which means something like best friend.
Potential buyers of TikTok
According to The Verge, TikTok will have to go through different scenarios of what could happen if the Supreme Court allows the ban to pass. First, employees are currently receiving a letter assuring them that their employment relationships will remain intact and offices will remain open.
Purchasing Elon Musk’s service is clearly an option – the Chinese government should consider it for itself. Former LA Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has also put himself forward as a buyer.
Donald Trump, who will become the US President again on January 20, 2025, had tried to ban TikTok in the US during his first term. Now he wants to protect the service, but apparently this can only be done through sales. The sanctions law takes effect the day before he takes office, unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes.
(EMW)
