The TikTok ban, and what comes next

This section covers the impending ban on TikTok as it faces a critical deadline imposed by a bill that could lead to its divestment from ByteDance or an outright ban in the United States. The looming Supreme Court decision is discussed, including the arguments surrounding National Security, free speech, and the complexities of TikTok’s ownership. Lauren Feiner, a guest on the VergeCast, elaborates on the political and legal developments that have led to this moment, emphasizing that TikTok's ability to operate in the U.S. is under serious threat. Feiner explains the background of these legal proceedings, the potential outcomes, and how this could impact users and creators on the platform.

In this segment, the discussion shifts to Kickstarter and its evolving role within the creator economy. Everett Taylor, the CEO of Kickstarter, reflects on how Kickstarter has grown beyond mere crowdfunding to encompass a wider array of support for creators. He emphasizes the importance of providing tools and services that help creators throughout their entire journey, from pre-launch to post-campaign. Taylor acknowledges the mix of small creators and large corporations using Kickstarter and explains how this diversity can benefit the platform as a whole. There is also a focus on tackling the challenges many first-time creators face, such as logistically delivering products to backers.

The episode concludes with a question from the Vergecast Hotline about the increasing prevalence of magic links for login processes instead of traditional passwords. The discussion here highlights the reasons behind the shift to magic links, mainly centered on security concerns associated with handling traditional passwords. There is a debate about the user experience of using magic links, particularly how they complicate logins on mobile devices. Ultimately, the podcast draws attention to the desperation for better solutions than passwords and how the tech community continues to explore innovative alternatives, including passkeys.