The influx of American users, estimated at 700,000 in two days, is straining Xiaohongshu's moderation capabilities. The platform is reportedly delaying the visibility of new posts to allow time for review, indicating a lack of immediate moderation resources. Content moderation in China is typically outsourced to contractors, a low-paying and tedious job. Some American users have already experienced censorship, as the platform enforces Chinese government regulations on politically sensitive content. The situation underscores the limitations of banning apps like TikTok and suggests a need for broader legislation on data privacy and cybersecurity to address concerns with Chinese-owned platforms.
Key takeaways:
- Xiaohongshu is urgently seeking English-speaking content moderators due to a sudden influx of American users amid potential TikTok bans in the US.
- China's Cyberspace Administration has expressed concern about foreign content on Xiaohongshu and has instructed the platform to restrict visibility of US user posts to China-based users.
- Content moderation on Chinese platforms is complex and requires proficiency in relevant languages, posing challenges for Xiaohongshu in quickly scaling its moderation capabilities.
- The situation highlights the limitations of banning individual apps like TikTok and suggests a need for broader legislation on data privacy and cybersecurity.