This unexpected wealth has finally brought Chinese software into the spotlight!

Ever since the TikTok ban was proposed, American netizens have reacted strongly, continuously protesting both online and offline against the US ban on TikTok.

However, as January 19 approaches, American netizens are feeling increasingly hopeless about the possibility of the TikTok ban being lifted, and have been forced to accept the situation.

But as the saying goes: Where there is policy from above, there are countermeasures from below.

“You want to ban TikTok? Fine, I’ll just download Chinese apps and find a ‘replacement’! Ban whatever you want.”

A large number of American netizens hold this view, and so they have started flocking to Chinese apps in droves!

Friends who frequently browse Xiaohongshu may have noticed a recent “spectacle” on the platform: Chinese netizens using their own apps, but seeing a large number of posts from bloggers whose IPs show they are in the US.

Some ask: “Is this TikTok?”

Some directly say: “I want to learn Chinese.”

Many Chinese netizens who come across these posts feel as if they are using a foreign app, because they are surrounded by Americans!

Image source: Xiaohongshu

These bloggers from the US have been humorously dubbed “cyber refugees” by netizens, which is quite a vivid description.

The US probably didn’t expect that, while trying to ban its own people from using TikTok, it would end up giving Chinese apps a boost. Americans are no longer using the overseas version of Chinese apps at home, but are directly switching to the Chinese version.

Thanks to this wave of enthusiasm, Xiaohongshu’s download numbers have continued to rise. But Tuke believes that once the initial excitement fades, only a minority of American netizens will remain on Xiaohongshu.

American netizens advocate “free speech,” but Chinese apps, including Xiaohongshu, all have certain content restrictions. Some sensitive content cannot pass review, so American netizens are likely to be “dissuaded” by this, feeling that “speech is not free.” As a result, more of them may flock to Lemon8, another global social media app developed by ByteDance.

After all, Lemon8 currently ranks second in downloads in the US Apple App Store, just behind Xiaohongshu.

Xiaohongshu ranks #1 in downloads in the US Apple Store; Lemon8 is #2

As the day TikTok faces “ban if not sold” draws nearer, American netizens feel powerless to change the outcome. But Tuke has a different view: perhaps TikTok will not be completely banned in the US, but will simply be removed from app stores.

According to the latest news, two Democratic congressmen in the US have said they want to delay the effective date of the TikTok ban.

On January 13, US Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey spoke in the Senate and livestreamed on TikTok, saying he would propose legislation to postpone the TikTok ban deadline by another 270 days. At the same time, Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna also urged President Biden and Trump to suspend the ban, otherwise 170 million Americans would lose their freedom of speech and their livelihoods would be affected.

Moreover, Trump will take office on January 20. Previously, Trump had the idea of saving TikTok, but it was rejected. When he takes office, it is believed he will soon introduce relevant legislation to resolve the TikTok issue and prevent TikTok from being banned in the US.

Image source: Internet

If things turn out as Tuke predicts, and TikTok is only removed from app stores rather than completely banned, then the situation for Chinese apps will also change.

Once TikTok’s crisis is resolved, some American “cyber refugees” will return to TikTok. After all, TikTok already holds an important place in their hearts, with its algorithmic recommendation system, massive creative content, and huge user community all attracting American netizens.

However, this does not mean that Chinese apps have gained nothing from this incident. Even if some users return, there will still be a portion of American users who will stay because of the new value they have discovered in Chinese apps.

I wonder if everyone agrees with this view?