So you know TikTok, video app, funny stuff, the youth in your life use it while you still don't get it because you're still on Facebook?

Yeah, it's big.

So big that Republicans and even some Democrats on Capitol Hill think it's just one big conspiracy by China to take down the United States.

The White House is giving all federal agencies 30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices.

The Chinese-owned social media app is coming under increasing scrutiny in Washington over security concerns.

There's even some bills threatening to ban TikTok in the U.S. all together.

But the social media app has become part of how people keep their businesses alive

and how some people make a living, period.

I'm Gustavariano.

You're listening to The Times, essential news from the L.A. Times.

It's Monday, April 10, 2003. Today, the people

who will suffer if TikTok becomes illegal in the United States. Here to talk about all this is my LA Times colleague Brian Contreras.

He's a tech reporter who covers influencer economy.

Brian, welcome to the Times.

Hey, glad to be back.

Thanks for having me.

So I'm old enough to roll my eyes at the very premise of this episode,

that TikTok is somehow different from any social media app ever that has come before it,

or that it's this revolutionary innovation

unlike anything ever seen since, oh, I don't know, papyrus.

So go for it.

Convince me, what sets TikTok apart

...