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   Taiwan blocks RedNote app, sparking VPN surge   
      
   Date:   
   Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:29:36 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   The popular Chinese social media and e-commerce app has been blocked by the   
   Taiwanese government due to fears of fraud and data harvesting. But users are   
   finding ways to stay connected.   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   Taiwan has made the decision to block the popular Chinese social media and   
   e-commerce app, RedNote (known as Xiaohongshu in China), citing alarming    
   fraud statistics and concerns over excessive data collection. The app, which   
   boasts around three million users in Taiwan, is a major platform for online   
   shopping, content discovery, and social interaction.    
      
    Reports suggest that the ban, which came into effect on December 4th, has   
   already triggered a surge in downloads for the best VPN services as users    
   look for ways to bypass the block.    
      
   Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs stated that an investigation into    
   RedNote raised red flags in 15 different categories, according to Reuters .   
   The ministry expressed concerns that the app was collecting sensitive user   
   data, including device IDs, precise location data, contact lists, and   
   clipboard information, even when the app was not in use.    
      
   Furthermore, officials have linked the platform to over 1,700 cases of fraud   
   in 2024, resulting in losses of more than $7.9 million  The Financial Times   
   reported .    
      
   Despite these concerns, the ban has not been universally welcomed, with   
   opposition parties in Taiwan labeling the move as a form of censorship.   
      
   Why the RedNote ban is so controversial   
      
   The ban on RedNote highlights the delicate balance between national security   
   and individual freedoms. The Taiwanese government's actions are rooted in a   
   broader objective to enhance cybersecurity and combat online fraud. However,   
   the move is viewed by some as being politically motivated, given the ongoing   
   tensions between Taiwan and China.    
      
   The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has been a vocal critic of the ban, while   
   a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office accused the   
   Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of trampling on democracy and undermining   
   the freedom of the Taiwanese people.    
      
   This sentiment is echoed by some of the app's user base, predominantly young   
   urban women, who feel unfairly targeted. According to the BBC , users argue   
   that other platforms, such as those owned by Meta, are more guilty of similar   
   data harvesting practices.    
      
   For many, RedNote is more than just a social media app; it is an integral    
   part of their lifestyle, and its removal has created a void, leaving them   
   feeling cut off from an important part of their digital and cultural lives.    
      
   For now, the future of RedNote in Taiwan remains uncertain. The government    
   may choose to tighten restrictions further or seek compromises that would   
   allow the app to operate under stricter regulations.    
      
   In the meantime, the surge in VPN usage demonstrates a clear determination   
   from a significant portion of the Taiwanese population to maintain their   
   access to the platform, regardless of the government's stance.    
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/taiwan-blocks-rednote-app-s   
   parking-vpn-surge   
      
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