TikTok is facing a looming ban in the United States. The company will make a final effort to argue its case before the Supreme Court on Friday; if it loses, the law forcing TikTok to spin off from its China-based parent company or be banned in the United States is set to go into effect on January 19. Will that mean the app disappears from users’ phones overnight? Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, breaks down what the ban would look like for users, in practical terms. And influencers Eli Rallo and Joanne Molinaro, aka The Korean Vegan, share what it would mean for people who make a living from the app.What questions do you have about the technology in your life? Email us at CNNTermsofService@Gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elisabeth Buchwald, an economics writer for CNN Business, shares her insight into the complexities of Trump's proposed tariffs. She discusses how these tariffs could raise prices on essential goods, from groceries to tech gadgets. Elisabeth warns consumers about potential inflation in the cost of e-bikes and appliances, urging them to be strategic about purchases before tariffs take effect. She also emphasizes the importance of avoiding panic buying and replacing worn items wisely.

If you’ve been to the airport recently, you might have noticed something different while going through security: a TSA agent taking your photo. More than 200 US airports are now using facial recognition technology to identify passengers. Face scans can speed up the security process, but according to Dr. Joy Buolamwini, this technology comes with big picture risks. She explains what’s going on with these face scans — and how to opt out.Read more about Dr. Joy’s nonprofit, the Algorithmic Justice League, here.What questions do you have about the technology in your life? Email us at CNNTermsofService@Gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel Tobac, an ethical hacker and CEO of SocialProof Security, dives into the world of password management, shedding light on why many people reuse passwords. She shares practical tips for creating and managing secure passwords and discusses the benefits of various password managers like Bitwarden and 1Password. The conversation highlights the significance of strong master passwords and multi-factor authentication, offering insights on making digital security accessible and manageable for everyone.

Thomas Costello, an assistant professor of psychology at American University, delves into the fascinating intersection of AI and conspiracy theories. He discusses how AI chatbots can engage with conspiracy believers, providing evidence and promoting open dialogue. Surprising results from a recent study reveal that these bots may effectively shift beliefs. Costello also highlights the importance of critical thinking and user trust when utilizing AI for debunking misinformation, particularly during family gatherings filled with differing opinions.

David Choffnes, an associate professor at Northeastern University specializing in data privacy, dives deep into the eerie sensation that our devices might be eavesdropping. He debunks the myth of smartphones secretly listening to us, clarifying that targeted ads stem from data collection based on our online behavior, not audio recordings. Choffnes discusses the role of data brokers, privacy risks, and ethical concerns surrounding pervasive data collection, while providing practical tips to safeguard personal privacy in the digital age.

A new kind of deepfake revenge porn is sweeping the internet. Using artificial intelligence, bad actors can do things like superimpose your face on a nude body, creating convincing and harmful images. Tech companies and lawmakers are trying to play catch up, but the truth is these tools are still easy to access. So how can you and your loved ones stay safe from this dangerous technology? Carrie Goldberg, a lawyer specializing in digital harassment and sex crimes, has some answers.If you've had someone create deepfakes of you, or if you're a parent and this happened to your child, we'd appreciate hearing from you about how you handled it. Email us at CNNTermsofService@Gmail.com.If you find an explicit image of yourself or a loved one on social media, here are some resources for getting it taken down: Take It Down StopNCII.org Meta’s takedown form Google’s takedown form Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a new generation of kids grows up, many of them have had their childhoods posted online for the world to see. And not all of them are happy about it. This raises important questions for parents: how much should you share your kids’ lives on social media? When should you think twice before hitting “post”? Leah Plunkett, author of the book Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk About Our Kids Online, has thought a lot about this — both as a lawyer and as a parent. She gives Clare some pointers about online privacy for kids.If you’re a parent or have kids in your life, we want to hear from you. Do you have rules of the road for how much you share your kids online? Email us at CNNTermsofService@Gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New technologies like artificial intelligence, facial recognition and social media algorithms are changing our world so fast that it can be hard to keep up. This cutting-edge tech often inspires overblown hype — and fear. That’s where we come in. Each week, CNN Tech Writer Clare Duffy will break down how these technologies work and what they’ll mean for your life in terms that don’t require an engineering degree to understand. And we’ll empower you to start experimenting with these tools, without getting played by them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices