As US TikTok users move to RedNote, some are encountering Chinese-style censorship for the first time - eviltoast

Summary

Many Americans joining China’s social media platform RedNote are encountering strict censorship uncommon in Western platforms.

One non-binary user had a post asking if the platform welcomed gay people removed within hours.

Posts on LGBTQ+ topics, fitness photos, and sensitive cultural content have been censored, frustrating users unfamiliar with China’s moderation rules.

RedNote is hiring English-language moderators to handle the influx. While some users enjoy cultural exchange, others criticize restrictions.

Analysts see RedNote’s growth among US users as a soft power win for China.

  • Maple Engineer@lemmy.world
    362·
    11 hours ago

    Anyone who has been using Xitter over the last couple of years has already experienced Chinese style censorship.

      • Maple Engineer@lemmy.world
        102·
        8 hours ago

        This is consistent. Anything that makes the racists, fascists, incels, tech bros, and billionaires uncomfortable is blocked.

          • Maple Engineer@lemmy.world
            31·
            6 hours ago

            Did mentions of Tiananmen Square make China uncomfortable before 1989 or did that change? Did mentions of Winnie the Pooh make China uncomfortable before 2017 or did that change?

            I’m not sure what point you were trying to make.

              • Maple Engineer@lemmy.world
                11·
                2 hours ago

                That was only two representative examples. Do you actually want me to make an exhaustive list of all of the changes that have happened over time to the Chinese censorship regime?

    • Shacktastic@lemy.lolEnglish
      95·
      8 hours ago

      China censors all literature, film, music, and internet discourse employing advanced technologies and multiple tens of thousands of people while also running the world’s largest prison for journalist. VPNs are blocked. Apps like Signal are blocked. Online gaming for minors is limited to 3 hours per day on weekends and holidays only. People get harassed by police for what they post online. Many go to jail for criticizing the government, spreading pornography or health related sexual content (including anything LGBT), supporting Taiwanese independence, or casting doubt on Chinese folk legends. Then, in addition to that (which I have not even begun to do justice to), all media companies run their own internal censorship regimes so as not to get in trouble with the authorities. And this rolls downhill: you the individual self-censor to not get in trouble with your boss or worse.