The Global Story

America’s love-hate relationship with Tik Tok

Mar 21, 2024

US intelligence warns of Chinese interference through Tik Tok in the presidential election. Debate over bill to force Chinese owners to sell app. Can Beijing use social media to undermine American democracy? Would banning Tik Tok stop it? Analysis by BBC and Wired journalists.

24:22

Creator website

Episode guests

John Sudworth

Makena Kelly

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

China's potential use of TikTok to interfere in US elections raises national security concerns.

Politicians utilize TikTok as a campaign tool, highlighting its influence on political narratives and young voters.

Deep dives

Concerns over Chinese Interference in US Elections

Washington raises concerns over Chinese cyber threats and potential interference in US elections. The debate focuses on the national security threat posed by TikTok, a Chinese-owned app with a large American user base. The House of Representatives has pushed for TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban.

Introduction

3min

TikTok's Impact on National Security

11min

Exploring Foreign Influence on Social Media Platforms and TikTok's Threat according to US Lawmakers

4min

TikTok Ban Battle: China, Data, and Politics

6min

Exploring the Political Role of TikTok and the Importance of Skepticism in the Digital Age

3min

US intelligence says China may use Tik Tok to interfere in the presidential election. Now Washington is debating a bill that would force the app’s Chinese owners to sell up, even as politicians like Joe Biden use Tik Tok as a campaign tool.

So, how might Beijing use social media to undermine American democracy? And would selling or even banning Tik Tok do anything to stop it? Lyse Doucet speaks to BBC North America correspondent John Sudworth and Wired senior political writer Makena Kelly.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory

The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.

This episode was made by Peter Goffin, Beth Timmins and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Hannah Montgomery and Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

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The Global Story

America’s love-hate relationship with Tik Tok

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Concerns over Chinese Interference in US Elections

Challenges in Regulating TikTok

Role of TikTok in US Politics and Election Campaigns

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts