TikTok

TikTok fights for survival in latest filing as ban approaches

9:42pm August 15, 2024

In the latest salvo in the fight over the hit app’s future in the U.S., lawyers for TikTok say the government’s push to ban TikTok is unconstitutional and lacks proof that TikTok is a real security risk.

Melbourne 2022 FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships - Day 5

A Norwegian swimmer's love affair with chocolate muffins may be winning the Olympics

2:26pm July 31, 2024

by Rachel Treisman

When he’s not in the pool, Henrik Christiansen is documenting his deepening obsession with the gooey treats. His many dramatic TikToks are spreading muffin fever across the Olympic Village and beyond.

National

Justice Dept. claims TikTok collected views on issues like abortion and gun control

4:43am July 27, 2024

by The Associated Press

The US Justice Department late Friday accused TikTok of harnessing the capability to gather bulk information on users based on views on divisive social issues like gun control, abortion and religion.

Mobile phone screen on the sandy beach with blue sea background

Health & Safety

Some TikTok influencers are maligning sunscreen. Here's what to know about the claims

12:44pm June 17, 2024

by Maria Godoy

Sunscreen is the best way to protect ourselves against skin cancer. But doctors are concerned by a backlash against sunscreen that is spreading on social media.

Queue Listen Now

Kyne wearing her hyperbolic plane dress. Author photo by Fabian Di Corcia.

Drag queen Kyne Santos explores how math is 'beautiful' in new book 'Math in Drag'

3:01am June 07, 2024

Kyne Santos was a student at the University of Waterloo when she began her math and her drag careers. She compares her double life to Hannah Montana, doing math equations at school by day and drag at night. You may already know Kyne from TikTok, where she makes educational videos about math, science, history and drag. And now, in her new book Math in Drag, Kyne explores the connections between math and drag: How both can be creative, beautiful and most of all, fun.

Want to hear us cover more math? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

Queue Listen Now

TikTok sued the Biden administration in response to a new law that bans the video app in the U.S. unless it is sold in the next 12 months.

Legal experts say a TikTok ban without specific evidence violates the First Amendment

6:59pm May 14, 2024

by Bobby Allyn

The Justice Department is expected to argue that its clamp down on TikTok is about national security, but Constitutional lawyers say there is no way around grappling with the free speech implications.

The proliferation of AI-generated images "has made Facebook a very bizarre, very creepy place for me," said Casey Morris, an attorney in Northern Virginia.

AI-generated spam is starting to fill social media. Here's why

4:25pm May 14, 2024

by Shannon Bond

A Jesus made of vegetables, bizarre log cabins, products that don't exist. AI-generated images are creating new forms of clickbait and causing some users to doubt what's real.

AI-generated spam is starting to fill social media. Here's why

5:00am May 14, 2024

by Shannon Bond

A Jesus made of vegetables, bizarre log cabins, products that don't exist. AI-generated images are creating new forms of clickbait and causing some users to doubt what's real.

Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala in New York City. The actress is one of many celebrities whose name has appeared this week on social media "block" lists for not speaking out publicly about the conflict in Gaza.

Arts

The Met Gala has fueled backlash against stars who are silent about the Gaza conflict

3:57pm May 11, 2024

by Chloe Veltman

A fast-growing social media campaign to block stars for not speaking out escalated this week after the star-studded New York event.

From left: Zendaya, Barron Trump, Bambie Thug.

Why is a teen Trump in the news? Find out in the quiz

5:01am May 10, 2024

by Holly J. Morris

This week began with the Met Gala, which brought much-needed pageantry to the everyday lives of mortals. There was also real estate, dating apps, resignations and more.