As TikTok’s ban looms, irritated users are flocking to other Chinese social media apps

some TikTok users don’t wait until the upcoming ban on January 19 to test other short-form video sharing apps, but instead Metasocial media sites or Fediversethey target other Chinese-owned mobile software platforms.

Two apps owned by Chinese companies — Xiaohongshu (which translates to “little red book” and is also called RedNote) and Lemon8, which is owned by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance — top the free app download charts in the US for iPhone and Android users. RedNote is owned by Xingyin Information Technology, a private company based in Shanghai.

like Jen Hamiltona popular TikTok user, explained in videothe act of pulling down the Chinese apps is a form of protest against the actions to shut down TikTok in the US. “You don’t want the Chinese to have our very sensitive personal data? We’ll drop them off directly,” Hamilton said. “I don’t care.”

Read more: 3 things you should definitely do before the TikTok ban takes effect on January 19

RedNote was likened to a cross between Pinterest and Instagram, focused on short lifestyle content. Lemon8, a subsidiary app of TikTok, also has A Pinterest-like aesthetic but is more focused on lifestyle videos like food, home and health.

Lawmakers have expressed concern for years that TikTok, which has 170 million users in the U.S., poses a national security threat intertwined with privacy risks. Last year, a recently passed federal law required TikTok found a US-based buyer or be closed by deadline Sunday, January 19. Lawyers representing TikTok argue that the issue is one of free speech. The US Supreme Court is expected in the next few days to to decide whether to comply with this law.

It’s unclear how TikTok’s ban, if upheld, could affect access to other apps owned by Chinese companies, including RedNote and Lemon8. This did not stop Hamilton and other users from begins to learn Chinese languages ​​and referring friends to their profiles on these Alternative to TikTok platforms. Language learning app Duolingo announced on January 15th that there has been a huge 216% increase in Mandarin learners compared to last year.

Other TikTok alternatives that seem to be gaining ground in the app charts include short video apps Flip and Clapper, both based in the US. Each is in the top five free downloads in the Apple App Store.