TikTok’s Rollercoaster Weekend: What You Missed

On January 18, TikTok became inaccessible to US users following a Supreme Court decision upholding a federal law that required its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its US operations by January 19, 2025.

This led to TikTok’s removal from major app stores and a temporary blackout. 

TikTok services went offline on January 18. Screenshot by That’s

However, on January 19, US President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order delaying the ban, proposing a joint venture with 50% US ownership to address national security concerns. 

US President-elect Donald Trump announced his TikTok plans on Truth Social. Screenshot by That’s

Following this announcement, TikTok began restoring its services, much to the relief of its vast user base.

TikTok is now online for some users in the US with a pop-up message to thank President-elect Donald Trump. Screenshot by That’s

During TikTok’s brief blackout, many US users sought alternatives, leading to a significant migration to Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform known internationally as ‘RedNote.’ 

In just a few days, Xiaohongshu experienced a surge of over 700,000 new American users.

READ MORE: ‘TikTok Refugees’ Flock to Xiaohongshu

This influx presented challenges, primarily due to language barriers, as Xiaohongshu lacks built-in translation features, making navigation difficult for non-Mandarin speakers. 

To bridge this gap, Xiaohongshu launched its new in-app translation function in its latest update, assisting users in translating content and facilitating cross-cultural interactions. 

Meanwhile, popular language learning platform Duolingo reported a 216% increase in US users learning Mandarin, highlighting a burgeoning interest in Chinese language and culture.  

Duolingo welcomes the sudden surge of Mandarin learners. Screenshot by That’s 

With TikTok’s services reinstated, the ‘refugees’ face a choice: return to a familiar platform or continue exploring new digital territories. 

This episode underscores the fluid nature of social media landscapes and the resilience of digital communities in adapting to sudden changes.

As the situation evolves, how has the shifting social media landscape impacted your online interactions and daily life? Share your thoughts and stay informed by following our WeChat official account, ThatsGBA.

[Cover image via That’s]