Taiwan Bans Xiaohongshu App for One Year over Online Shopping Fraud Concerns
Taiwan has banned the RedNote app, known as Xiaohongshu, for one year due to concerns regarding online shopping fraud. The country's Criminal Investigation Bureau reported over 1,700 fraud cases linked to the app since last year, with losses exceeding NT$247 million (approximately £5.9 million or $7.9 million). The ban affects at least 3 million domestic users, and internet service providers have been ordered to restrict access to the platform.
Xiaohongshu is a TikTok-like social media platform featuring built-in shopping capabilities. However, its operators reportedly do not maintain a local office in Taiwan and have failed to submit a cybersecurity improvement plan. The app now appears as unavailable in Taiwan, displaying a message citing 'security restrictions.' Taiwanese regulators indicated that the platform did not meet the nation's data security standards.
Launched in 2013, Xiaohongshu has grown to hundreds of millions of users worldwide and has seen growth in the United States as a potential alternative to TikTok amidst increased scrutiny. Concerns have also been raised regarding Beijing's use of social media to influence public opinion and disseminate disinformation. Chinese regulators pressed Xiaohongshu in September to impose penalties over 'negative' posts on the platform.
