The servers might be slowly splitting.

Found out they likely made a new server for international users.

In the Xiaohongshu User Privacy Policy:

In this Policy, "Xiaohongshu" refers to a product distinct from its overseas-operated version, "rednote". Users of Xiaohongshu and rednote are distinguished by their mobile phone numbers. This Policy applies to Xiaohongshu users, specifically:

Users who have registered with a mobile phone number from Chinese Mainland; and

Users who have already registered as Xiaohongshu users using a mobile phone number outside Chinese Mainland before December 8th, 2025.

After December 8th, if you register with a mobile phone number outside Chinese Mainland, you will be a rednote user and the rednote Privacy Policy shall apply.

In the rednote Privacy Policy:

Specifically, Xiaohongshu App operating in China will be interoperable with rednote Platform; this means that public User Content and profile can be shared and accessed by a user of Xiaohongshu platform, and you can communicate, interact with a user of the Xiaohongshu platform.

TLDR: They're putting new foreign users after 12/8/2025 in a new Singapore-based server instead of China server. The new server is interoperable with China's server.

EDIT: Rednote (Intl) and XHS (China) have different ToS.

EDIT #2 (3/8/2026): changed TLDR because it might be more then just user data.

Comments

SatyrDiamond4 months agoOP8

"we are gonna still be able to see the Chinese content, but primarily, we are gonna be interacting with each other" - FakeCEORealGF video

"interacting with each other" possibly meant servers interacting with each other

FinancialGlass18984 months ago7

That's how Wechat/Weixin has always operated (and also used phone number as a differentiator). WeChat is a Singapore company. Weixin is part of Tencent which is a domestic China mainland company. Any chats between the two are presumably stored on both servers and thus can be accessed by either side's law.

They are probably trying to preempt a TikTok-style claim that they are "sending users data to China" or whatever.

jo_nigiri4 months ago6

Immediately loses their entire international userbase INSTANTLY if they made it non interchangeable, but this is pretty good

Lucky-Past84594 months ago5

Luckily I joined before this happened, kinda unsurprising considering the Chinese government already kept their internet very isolated

FuzzyLobster774 months ago3

for a while now (months) if i check my posts city distribution it’s distribution ( says abroad) like 90% and 1-2% china.  The only way people will see you is if you interact/ comment with content they provide and someone stops by your profile. i don’t care, i still like the app. still making friends. i won’t complain  … there’s no go* damn ads bombarding you like here in the US 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 i signed up over a year ago. and i noticed this change. 

Ill_conceived_idea4 months ago3

I'm missing something. Maybe the legalese is too much for me but I don't see where they say we're be using different ones

gb9974 months ago2

even if this is the case i don’t feel isolated from Chinese users. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Extreme_Homework_7714 months ago1

People foresaw this coming since January last year, but people did not believe it since RedNote seemed welcoming.

But if anybody knows China history well, it was only a matter of time before they changed their minds and separate the servers to protect users inside the mainland.

casscainisbatman4 months ago1

wait so is this a bad thing??? they're not isolating the content right (like blocking users from seeing each other)???

Terrible-Exam36254 months ago1

As a Xiaohongshu creator in China, I do think the platform genuinely wants to go global and bring in creators who are already established on TikTok and Instagram.

I’m just not sure how successful that will be. Even with translation, the cultural gap is still pretty big. Content style, humor, community norms, and even what people consider worth sharing are quite different. So international expansion makes sense, but making the ecosystem actually blend well is much harder.

More like this

Making the Jump from TikTok to Rednote(Xiaohongshu)? Here’s What You Need to Know

So you’re thinking about switching (or at least dabbling) from TikTok to **Rednote** (aka Xiaohongshu)? Here’s a quick rundown on what to expect and how to adapt: 1. **Different Vibe** * **TikTok** is all about short, snappy videos—dances, trends, and memes. * **Rednote** leans more toward lifestyle tips, product reviews, and personal stories. Think mini-blogs rather than just quick clips. 2. **Less is More—or Is It?** * On **TikTok**, you can go viral with a 15-second masterpiece. * On **Rednote**, people actually read captions and appreciate detailed posts. Don’t be afraid to write a bit more and share personal insights. 3. **Engage with the Community** * Responding to comments is key on both platforms, but **Rednote** users expect a friendlier, more helpful approach. Focus on real interaction rather than just racking up views. 4. **Use Relevant Hashtags & Keywords** * **TikTok** hashtags can be trendy and fleeting. * **Rednote** hashtags and keywords should be more targeted, especially if you’re reviewing products or sharing how-to tips. 5. **Be Ready for Culture Shifts** * The **Rednote** audience often loves beauty, travel, fashion, and “real-life” hacks. * If you’re pivoting from dance challenges, consider experimenting with lifestyle or review content to fit the platform’s style. 6. **Quality Over Quantity** * While **TikTok** can reward frequent posting, **Rednote** might favor fewer, well-thought-out posts that really resonate. High-quality visuals and genuine storytelling go a long way. Got questions about Rednote? Drop ’em below—always happy to help a fellow content creator make the jump!

over 1 year ago
185107

The ban isn't really about privacy concerns

Why exactly? You and me know why America is banning tiktok... They can't control the narrative their like they do with Facebook or Instagram YouTube. etc The genocide in Gaza was being shown in its full without any kind of censorship... And daddy israel doesn't like that so the AIPAC who's holding the American politicians by the balls... Forced them into banning the app.... It's not about privacy or any of that.... Remember edward Snowden.? I rest my case.

over 1 year ago
13770

Y'all know why Trump suddenly became "pro-TikTok" right?

Say it with me....because he and his oligarch buddies are getting worried Americans are waking up to the truth about the anti-China propaganda BS in Red Note and will either demand better conditions or go full socialist.

over 1 year ago
11749