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The TikTok Flip-Flop

The Daily

20-01-2025 • 21 mins

Over the past few weeks, users of the video app TikTok braced themselves for a national ban to take effect.

This weekend, the app went dark. But less than 24 hours later, it came back. And it credited President-elect Donald J. Trump with flicking the switch.

Sapna Maheshwari, who covers TikTok for The Times, discusses the biggest social media ban in American history — and whether the incoming president can actually stop it.

Guests: Sapna Maheshwari, a reporter covering TikTok, technology and emerging media companies for The New York Times.

Background reading:

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

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