logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
26m 6s

Why Taylor left TikTok

Vox
About this episode

Her label, Universal Media Group, pulled its entire catalog off TikTok. The Verge’s Nilay Patel explains why, and author Cory Doctorow says the app’s “enshittification” is inevitable.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
Plastic rain
We're revisiting an episode from earlier this year about how we were mostly able to get the acid rain problem under control...only to find ourselves with a plastic rain problem. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Victoria Chamberlin ... Show More
27m 33s
Jul 10
From Alligator Alcatraz to South Sudan
The Trump administration is not happy with their deportation numbers. They're turning to more extreme strategies to hit 1 million by year's end. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and ... Show More
28m 49s
Jul 9
I was told there would be deals
After pressing pause on the steepest tariffs, the Trump Administration promised 90 tariff deals in 90 days. That deadline is nearly here but the deals are not. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kri ... Show More
27m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2021
TikTok made me buy it | Tell Me More
Just like teen getting famous on TikTok over night, products are now going viral on the platform. Vox’s in-house TikTok expert Rebecca Jennings explain how this phenomenon works, the relationship between influencers and brands, plus the inevitable pitfalls that come with a rapid ... Show More
10m 45s
May 2024
The TikTok Ban Is “a Vast Overreach, Rooted in Hypocrisy,” Wired’s Katie Drummond says
David Remnick talks with Katie Drummond, the global editorial director of Wired magazine, about the TikTok ban that just passed with bipartisan support in Washington. The app will be removed from distribution in U.S. app stores unless ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikT ... Show More
20m 41s
May 2022
ICYMI: The Real Story Behind The Viral Makeup All Over TikTok
Earlier this month, Bobbi Brown’s new foundation line blew up on TikTok thanks to some rather ungenerous videos from beauty influencers. In an effort to defend her new Jones Road line, Brown took to TikTok and filmed her own response, rocketing the drama into the TikTok mainstrea ... Show More
29m 46s
Nov 2022
Elon’s Twitter is in the Sh*tter with Nilay Patel
Nilay Patel, Editor-in-Chief of The Verge and host of the Decoder podcast, talks with Jon about Elon Musk’s newest and thorniest business venture: purchasing Twitter. In a recent article, “Welcome to Hell, Elon,” Patel describes the quandary that awaits the Tesla founder and argu ... Show More
41m 33s
Jun 2022
ConGRADulations, fellow kids
Hey, Weeds listeners: Today, we are bringing you an episode of Today, Explained that originally aired in early June.  Ten months ago, the faculty of Cramer Hill Elementary set out to get their kids back on track after a year of mostly remote learning. Today, Explained’s Miles Bry ... Show More
27m 40s
Jul 2023
Matt Walsh Responds To His TikTok Critics - Part Two
Matt Walsh responds to some of his critics on TikTok.  Text "WALSH" to 989898 for your no-cost, no-obligation, FREE information kit: https://birchgold.com/walsh   
6m 41s
Dec 2022
Money Talks: TikTok’s ticking time bomb—an episode from our archive
It’s the fastest growing app in the world, filled with dance trends, cats misbehaving, and questionable financial advice. Teenagers love it; Western politicians are less convinced. Could TikTok’s popularity be its downfall? In one of our favourite episodes of 2022, hosts Mike Bir ... Show More
38m 5s
Sep 2023
Spotify’s $1 Billion Bet on Podcasts Yet to Pay Off
P.M. Edition for Sept 5. Spotify has spent more than $1 billion to build a podcasting empire. But people familiar with the matter say the big bet has yet to pay off. Music industry reporter Anne Steele explains. Plus, chip designer Arm targets more than $52 billion in its highly- ... Show More
16m 28s
Jun 2023
Teresa Giudice called the most ‘overrated’ ‘Housewife’ of all time. Ariana Madix drops ‘F–k Me in This Shirt’ merch after Tom Sandoval’s ‘sick’ comment. Prince Harry ‘warned’ Charles about what to buy
When Andy Cohen asked Tamra Judge to name the “most overrated ‘Housewife’ of all time,” she didn’t hesitate. Ariana Madix is making money off Tom Sandoval’s comments. The Duke of Sussex reportedly told his father that his planned gift was too “extravagant.” Instinct magazine’s Co ... Show More
21m 13s
Nov 2021
Taylor Swift’s “F— the Patriarchy”
On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben discuss Ben’s case against an accusation of anachronistic language use in the new version of her song “All Too Well.” They also interview Michael Adams, Provost Professor and Chair of the English Department at Indiana U ... Show More
35m 17s