February 20, 2023

How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App

by The Journal

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We’re off today for the holiday, but we still have an episode for you!


In only five years, TikTok has gained millions of fans around the world and become a source of geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China. We spoke to people who witnessed the app’s meteoric rise firsthand: influencers, former workers, and a government official who is concerned about TikTok’s data practices. This episode originally aired in November 2022.


Further Reading:

-TikTok’s Stratospheric Rise: An Oral History


Further Listening:

-Why TikTok’s Under Investigation

Where to Listen