At the Los Angeles Times, tech journalist Johana Bhuiyan writes about privacy, surveillance, and how the actions of companies like Google and Amazon impact real people. And just like the rest of us, she's trying to avoid getting even more addicted to her phone.

"I have not allowed myself to download TikTok except for once," she says. "And it was like a three-day binge."

On today's episode of Follow Friday, Johana talks with Eric Johnson about her trusted source for funny TikToks that ensures she never needs to download the app again; a talented young rapper who's also working on COVID vaccines; and why she's "going to be a reporter til I die."

Follow us:

- Johana is @JMBooyah on Twitter and Instagram

- This show is @followfridaypod on Twitter and Instagram

- Eric is @heyheyesj on Twitter

Who Johana follows:

- Aminatou Sow

- Ruby Ibarra

- Kashmir Hill

- Ahmed Ali Akbar

Rate Follow Friday: LoveThePodcast.com/FollowFriday

Check out our sponsor, OnMail: onmail.followfridaypodcast.com

Theme song written by Eric Johnson, and performed by Yona Marie. Show art by Dodi Hermawan. Additional music by Katherine Chang, starfrosch, and Purple Planet Music.