TikTok's Legal Crossroads

American lawmakers have tried for years to ban TikTok, concerned that the video app’s links to China pose a national security risk.

Sapna Maheshwari, a technology reporter for The Times, explains the behind-the-scenes push to rein in TikTok and discusses what a ban could mean for the app’s 170 million users in the United States.

Guest: Sapna Maheshwari, who covers TikTok, technology and emerging media companies for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• A tiny group of lawmakers huddled in private about a year ago, aiming to bulletproof a bill that could ban TikTok.
• The TikTok law faces court challenges, a shortage of qualified buyers and Beijing’s hostility.
• Love, hate or fear it, TikTok has changed America.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.