Taiwan to prohibit China's Xiaohongshu app for one year due to fraud worries

Taipei, Dec 4 Taiwans Ministry of the Interior announced on Thursday that it will block access to the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, often compared to Instagram, for a period of one year due to security threats and its connection to more than 1,700 reported fraud cases since 2024. Xiaohongshu, known in English as Rednote, has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The ministry reported that these fraudulent activities affected roughly 3 million users in Taiwan, resulting in financial losses totaling NT$247.68 million (approximately $7.91 million) since last year. The app also failed all 15 criteria in a government cybersecurity evaluation. Authorities noted that Xiaohongshus non-compliance with Taiwanese regulations has obstructed fraud investigations, creating significant legal challenges.

The Interior Ministry stated that it will issue an official order to restrict internet access to the app for an initial period of one year. Future actions will depend on whether the company engages cooperatively and adheres to Taiwan's legal requirements. In October, Taiwan contacted Xiaohongshus Shanghai-based parent company requesting steps to ensure data security, but no response was received.

All digital platforms operating in Taiwan are required to follow local laws, including appointing legal representatives. Xiaohongshu must not operate outside the jurisdiction of Taiwanese law. The ministry warned citizens not to download the app and advised current users to switch to other platforms that comply with information security standards.

Taiwan, which is claimed by China, has consistently cautioned against the use of Chinese applications due to potential risks of disinformation. The Taiwanese government maintains its rejection of Beijings territorial claims.

Author: Grace Ellison