Taiwan prohibits popular Chinese social media app due to increasing number of fraud cases

The Taiwanese government has announced a one-year suspension of Xiaohongshu, a widely used Chinese social media platform, citing its lack of cooperation with authorities in addressing fraud-related issues. The app, also known as RedNote, has become increasingly popular among young people in Taiwan, attracting around 3 million users in the island nation of 23 million.

Authorities have expressed concerns that the app could potentially be used for pro-Beijing propaganda or misinformation campaigns. Taiwan has long been wary of Chinese influence, as China claims the island as part of its territory and has pledged to annex it by force if deemed necessary.

On Thursday, Taiwans Ministry of the Interior stated that Xiaohongshus refusal to comply with data requests has hindered law enforcement investigations. According to the ministry, the platform has been associated with over 1,700 fraud cases, resulting in financial losses exceeding 247.7 million Taiwanese dollars (around $7.9 million). Without access to required data, authorities face substantial obstacles in their investigations, creating a legal vacuum, the ministry said.

The timing for the bans enforcement remains uncertain, and the app was still accessible to Taiwanese users on Friday afternoon. The decision comes amid a broader global concern over cybersecurity risks and disinformation linked to Chinese apps such as Xiaohongshu and TikTok.

Chinese regulations mandate that companies store data domestically and permit government access, while also enforcing content surveillance and censorship. Experts warn that this can influence public opinion. Last year, the U.S. Congress required TikToks parent company ByteDance to sell the platform to an American owner or face a ban, leading to temporary shutdowns earlier this year. Other countries, including India, have previously banned TikTok and several Chinese apps due to similar security and privacy concerns.

Several Western nations, including the U.S., U.K., and EU member states, have restricted TikTok on government devices since 2023. Texas has also included Xiaohongshu in its list of banned apps on state-issued devices. Taiwan had previously restricted Xiaohongshu, TikTok, and Douyin on official devices since 2019.

Earlier this week, Taiwans Ministry of Digital Affairs flagged Xiaohongshu, TikTok, Weibo, and WeChat as posing significant cybersecurity threats. An assessment by the National Security Bureau found Xiaohongshu failed all evaluations, raising concerns about the collection of sensitive data without consent.

The ban has met resistance from some users and opposition lawmakers, who argue it threatens freedom of expression. Lai Shyh-bao, a legislator from the Kuomintang party, warned that internet freedom in Taiwan could increasingly require the use of VPNs.

Authorities noted that major international platforms such as Facebook, Google, LINE, and TikTok have appointed legal representatives in Taiwan and comply with local regulations. Taiwan requested Xiaohongshu provide concrete remedial measures, but the company has not responded. Ma Shih-yuan, deputy minister of the interior, described Xiaohongshu as a malicious platform operating beyond legal oversight and with unclear intentions.

Author: Noah Whitman