Douyin's Crackdown on Fake Foreign Accounts Amid 'TikTok Refugee' Wave

Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok owned by ByteDance, is intensifying efforts to combat accounts pretending to be overseas users as a surge of "TikTok refugees" seek refuge ahead of TikTok's potential ban in the US. Li Liang, a vice-president of Douyin Group, warned that having an overseas IP address does not guarantee genuine foreign registration. He stated, "Recently, some people have been trying to exploit the situation – reposting videos and pretending to be foreign users, especially certain grey-market groups hoping to gain followers."

Credit: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images

In response to rumours about Douyin opening registration to international users, Li mentioned that they have already taken action against over 10,000 accounts impersonating foreign users. The hashtag #tiktokrefugee has gained significant traction with 210 million views. Despite both Douyin and TikTok being operated by ByteDance, the Chinese version is not accessible in US app stores, causing users to seek alternatives.

RedNote, known as Xiaohongshu in China, has surged to the top of US app charts on Apple's App Store and Google Play, followed by Lemon8, ByteDance's lifestyle-sharing platform. This sudden popularity spike comes as more US TikTok users explore new platforms due to the impending ban under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

New users on RedNote, self-identifying as "TikTok refugees," are drawn to the platform's lifestyle-focused content and community engagement. One user, ChrissyLTina, expressed frustration over potential disruptions to creative work due to policy conflicts. Jacob Cooke, CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, highlighted the platforms' use of interest graph algorithms to tailor content, distinguishing them from other social media platforms.

RedNote has seen a remarkable increase in new users, with over 700,000 joining in just two days. US downloads have surged by over 200% year on year. The influx of foreign users onto a Chinese platform is unusual, given China's strict internet regulations. Overseas users on RedNote have been warmly received, sharing diverse content, although concerns about sustainability and content management compliance have been raised.

As TikTok faces uncertainty with a potential US ban looming, reports suggest that the Biden administration is exploring options to allow TikTok to continue operating. While the fate of TikTok remains uncertain, the platform's future in the US is being closely monitored.

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• Douyin cracking down on fake foreign accounts amidst influx of "TikTok refugees".

• RedNote and Lemon8 gaining popularity among US users seeking alternatives to TikTok.

• TikTok's future in the US uncertain, with potential ban looming.

Source: SCMP