Chinese social media app RedNote has been thrust into the limelight after more than half a million TikTok users recently joined the platform in protest against a likely imminent ban on the short video app in the United States.

With the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, unavailable on U.S. app stores, self-described "TikTok refugees" are flocking to Rednote, some aiming to build new followings and others seemingly protesting the looming ban.

American TikTok users have been thumbing their collective noses at the U.S. government's decision to ban TikTok by spitefully joining another Chinese