Taiwan bans Chinese social media app RedNote for one year on fraud risks

In a decisive move, Taiwan has declared a one-year ban on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as Rednote, citing significant risks related to online fraud. The Taiwanese interior ministry announced this ban on Thursday, emphasizing that the app has become a potential hotspot for fraudulent online shopping activities. Authorities linked Xiaohongshu to approximately 1,700 fraud cases that have resulted in financial losses exceeding 247.7 million New Taiwan dollars (around $7.9 million) since 2024. With over 3 million users in Taiwan, the ministry expressed concerns about the challenges faced by local law enforcement in obtaining vital information, as they do not have jurisdiction over the company. The ministry's cybersecurity evaluations revealed that Xiaohongshu failed to meet all 15 security indicators set by the National Security Bureau. As a result, Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan confirmed that local internet service providers have been instructed to block access to the app immediately. Furthermore, the ministry has requested major international platforms, including Google, to halt all advertisements for Xiaohongshu. Officials have also urged the public to refrain from downloading the app or to uninstall it if it is already on their devices. In response to this ban, Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the opposition Kuomintang party, criticized the decision, claiming it significantly curtails internet freedom and likened it to the establishment of a digital 'Great Wall' by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. This is not the first time Xiaohongshu has faced scrutiny in Taiwan; in 2022, the app was banned from government devices due to concerns over its connections to Chinese propaganda. Earlier this year, Taiwan reached out to the parent company of Xiaohongshu, Xingyin Information Technology (Shanghai), requesting improvements, but received no response. As Xiaohongshu gains traction in the U.S. amid TikTok's controversies, the situation surrounding the app remains closely monitored both locally and internationally.