Is RedNote Safe? Everything You Need to Know Before Using It

Ever since talks of a potential TikTok ban in the US ramped up, millions of users started looking for alternatives. One of the top choices is the Сhinese app RedNote (also known in China by its xiaohongshu meaning – “Little Red Book.”). Many users like it because it offers a similar short-video experience amid concerns over a TikTok ban. That’s why it has taken off in popularity. 

But what about RedNote app safety? Is this app worth your trust, or is it just another fun social media with many undercurrent dangers? Our article explains the app’s security features, potential privacy threats, and effective methods you can employ to protect personal data.

Security measures RedNote offers

The RedNote website tells users about typical measures like “secure storage,” “standards to keep your personal information safe,” “algorithmic moderation,” and “data security management.” But there’s no specification of how these things are enforced. 

Diving deeper into RedNote’s privacy policy, sections like “Lawful and Reasonable Usage” and “Information Collection and Usage” are ambiguous and may leave users with uneasy feelings about which data the Chinese app RedNote can collect and how it can be shared. Such a feeling can be justified by the risks we are about to overview. 

Risks you may face when using RedNote

So, RedNote security is highly questionable. Concerns and scandals surrounding the app are popping up so often that it’s even hit the international stage. That said, let’s break down the most important Rednote risks you need to be aware of. 

Data privacy concerns

RedNote’s page on official app stores like the App Store list the data collection categories. You may find it confusing after learning how much data is gathered. According to the app’s description, “the following data may be collected but it’s not linked to your identity: location, contact info, user content, usage data, diagnostics.”

In reality, it’s tough to verify whether that data truly remains “unlinked to your identity.” As NBC News recently noted in one of its reports, RedNote’s headquarters is located in China, so the company may share user data because it could be subject to local laws and, potentially, government requests. That means you might be handing over more insights about your life than you could think of — and possibly, to more parties than you expected.

RedNote scams 

A Decrypt journalist decided to test RedNote waters and found out suspicious activity from potential Rednote scammers. 

After he shared the very first post — within moments, random accounts, possibly from entirely different continents, flooded his inbox. Some showed IP addresses that didn’t match their “location” stated in the app. Many accounts used stolen profile photos and videos of bloggers from Instagram, OnlyFans, and other platforms. That journalist was a tech-savvy person who knew how to check IP addresses and had a skeptical journalistic perspective overall. But if a regular user chats with such scammers without caution, they can end up sharing personal info.

High odds for RedNote data breaches

The rule of thumb: the more users a platform boasts, the higher the profit for hackers. RedNote gained over 3 million of so-called “TikTok refugees” from the US in January 2025, and this number keeps growing. 

Matt Brown, a blogger searching for vulnerabilities in digital platforms, discovered that RedNote transmits some of its traffic using unencrypted HTTP rather than HTTPS. Practically, it means that information being transmitted, such as user login credentials, messages, contact info, and other personal data, could be intercepted and read in cleartext and modified by malicious actors who can monitor the network traffic. So, RedNote users are easy prey for hackers, and it’s likely to be just a matter of time before users’ personal data from the platform is compromised. 

But does this all mean you have to give up scrolling your favorite TikTok-like reels? Not that fast, as we’re here with a guide for enhancing your privacy in the app. 

How you can make RedNote experience safe

So, here’s how you can enjoy the platform without tossing your privacy out the window:

Review app permissions

Spend a minute in the app settings to see what you’re letting Rednote access. For instance, do you need location services on your profile? Do you want to give a chance for potential scammers to hit a message in your inbox? If not, disable all this. Here’s how: 

1. Click the RedNote account icon in the right bottom corner and then the gear icon near the profile button: 

2. Go to the privacy settings section and adjust settings so they fit your expectations. 

Don’t link other social accounts

Connecting your Instagram or Facebook accounts with RedNote may be convenient, but it is also the door for data sharing. If there is a RedNote data breach, then your Facebook and Instagram account data will be compromised.

Use a separate email for registration

Another tip – consider creating a separate email just for RedNote and don’t store and share any sensitive information there. For the same reason as the previous one – if something happens to your RedNote-connected data, it will not be that painful.  

Avoid sharing sensitive personal information 

Keep your phone number, address, or payment details off your profile. If some scammer requests them, run the other way! Watch out for shady direct messages designed to lure you into revealing confidential info. This is a tactic akin to email spoofing you see with phishing emails.

Always use a VPN

This is a key point, if not the most important one. If you’re using a social platform that might have questionable data practices like RedNote, a VPN is your privacy sidekick. Let’s dwell on this in more detail. 

Why use a VPN for RedNote

Here are the benefits you get with using VPN for RedNote: 

Protect your personal data

VPN encrypts all your Internet traffic in a secure tunnel, which protects your messages, passwords, and browsing details. Even if hackers intercept your connection, they will see only gibberish instead of your sensitive info.

Hide your real location

A VPN masks your IP address, and RedNote won’t be able to detect your real location. This helps if you don’t want to show your region, or if you’re traveling and want to access local content. 

Protect yourself on public Wi-Fi

Did you know that using Wi-Fi in an airport or a coffee shop may pose a threat to your privacy? Such public networks are poorly protected, and cybercriminals make use of it. With a VPN, you can scroll through RedNote using public Wi-Fi without worrying that someone is secretly spying on your online activity.

Dodge intrusive advertising

Advertisers may track users’ behavior across different apps. A VPN encryption protects your online actions and doesn’t allow harvesting any data related to you. So, with a VPN you won’t get bombarded by targeted ads based on your RedNote habits.

The problem with free VPNs 

You may have thought about opting for free solutions, but using free VPN services comes with these limitations: 

• Weak encryption protocols that may expose your data to snoopers. 
• Shady logging policies, which, as an outcome, may lead to your private info being sold to third-parties. 
• Poor security. A CSIRO study found that more than 50% of the top 10 free VPNs were likely infected with malicious software that can damage your device. 

It might be tempting to download a free tool. But it is not as “free” as it seems, as you can tell. You pay for it with your privacy and security. Therefore, consider using a credible VPN service like VeePN.

Why VeePN is a good VPN for RedNote

Looking for an all-in-one solution to up your Internet privacy? VeePN offers a range of features that protect your activity. Let’s check out why you might want to add it to your must-have app list:

AES-256 encryption

This is a strong defense measure that locks down your network traffic. Your messages, browsing, and login details become practically indecipherable to lurking hackers.

Anonymous IP

With VeePN, you’ll get an anonymous IP for RedNote data protection and online privacy. This shields your real location from websites and services. No more region-based targeted ads following you around the web.

Kill Switch

If your VPN connection glitches, Kill Switch immediately shuts down your internet connection so your data doesn’t leak out unprotected.

Breach Alert

Worried about data breach prevention, especially when using RedNote? VeePN’s Breach Alert feature will instantly notify you in case your personal details are spotted in known leaks. It will empower you to act fast and safeguard your accounts while it’s still possible.

Fast and easy streaming

You won’t have to trade speed for security, as is often the case with free VPNs. VeePN’s 2500+ servers are built for minimal speed loss, so streaming short-form videos or live broadcasts on RedNote remains smooth and stutter-free.

Use on 10 devices

You can watch RedNote content simultaneously on your phone, tablet, or laptop and keep them all protected. One subscription lets you use VeePN on 10 devices.

Try using VeePN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Written by Oliver Bennett Oliver Bennett is a dedicated cyber security content writer with a knack for breaking down intricate cyber topics into accessible and actionable insights.

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