February 20, 2023

How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App

by The Journal

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