RedNote, a Chinese app, is rapidly gaining downloads in Australia.Is it just the TikTok effect?
Experts argue that the surge in users flocking to the Chinese app RedNote exposes flaws in the Albanese government's social media ban, suggesting it hasn't achieved its intended goals.
As the TikTok ban looms in the US, users are flocking to RedNote, a Chinese-based app similar to Instagram. In Australia, where there's no imminent TikTok ban, RedNote is also rapidly climibing the download charts, highlighting issues with Australia's upcoming social age ban. Experts suggest that Australian's are downloading RedNote due to following US trends, securing usernames, and the potential social media ban for under-16s.
ByteDance faces a January 19 deadline to sell TikTok or face a US ban on national security grounds.While TikTok's future in the US is uncertain, there's no immediate sign that Australia will follow suit. The emergence of RedNote raises questions about how the Australian government will handle new apps not covered by the under-16s ban, as teens may continue to migrate to other platforms.
The Australian government is preparing to implement age assurance technology to enforce the social media age ban. This includes verifying ages using ID documents, biometrics, and online activity.The trial for this technology is set to be completed by April, with the fine report due in June, after the next fedral election. The government will need to decide how to respond to the findings and enforce the ban effectively.
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