Connecticut
Once a Red Line, Connecticut Reps Press for Regulating Tech Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. –As new technologies like artificial intelligence drive the tech industry, members of Connecticut’s federal delegation have been testing a regulatory red line drawn in Congress during the heyday of the early 1990s internet boom.
In place of what has largely been a hands-off approach to emerging computing technologies, Connecticut lawmakers are debating how best to protect consumer data and to mitigate the harm, especially to young people, of social media, TikTok and AI-generated content, with state and federal regulation.
Rep. Jim Himes, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told CT Examiner that he thought both federal and state regulations would be beneficial to protecting the public from criminal acts, while still driving innovation.
“The big social media platforms and big online companies operate globally,” Himes said. “So, I think that when it comes to data privacy, it’s important to have a national standard. You can’t have 50 different data protection regimes where in one state an individual owns their data and in another state it’s a free for all.”
Himes added that state regulations could cover certain criminal acts, particularly with respect to minors.
“I do think that there’s plenty of room for state regulation in things like fraud and criminality,” he said. “If what we’re talking about is trafficking in images of underage Americans, all of those sorts of crimes and fraud and criminal statutes should be state-driven.”
In recent months, protecting consumers – particularly minors – on social media platforms has been a talking point in Washington.
Last month, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan foreign aid bill into law that included a provision to force TikTok’s China-based parent company either to sell the app or face a ban.
Some legislators and federal officials have claimed that the app poses a national security threat to the U.S., allowing “the Chinese government could use it to spy on Americans or weaponize it to covertly influence the U.S. public by amplifying or suppressing certain content,” according to an news report by CBS News last month.
Earlier in March, TikTok CEO Shou Chew reassured lawmakers in a congressional hearing that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, does not share American user data with the Chinese government. He also told Congress that ByteDance was not used as an “agent of China” and that the company had established rules to protect teens, like automatically making accounts private for users under the age of 16.
Still, Connecticut’s lawmakers voiced concerns about privacy and young people on apps like TikTok, and they pressed fellow lawmakers to establish some sort of regulation.
“As a parent, I see firsthand how damaging social media can be to kids,” Sen. Chris Murphy said in a statement. “The social media companies know exactly the harm they’re doing to our children, and yet they’ve doubled down on their intentionally addictive algorithms in order to pad their own pockets.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal introduced legislation – dubbed the Kids Online Safety Act – last year that is aimed at protecting minors from online harms by providing parents with tools to supervise minors on different platforms, and minors with safeguards that restrict access to their data.
He urged Congress to pass it, saying in a statement that the bill is necessary to “hold big tech accountable for their harms to children.”
“The need for strong tech industry regulations has never been more urgent or necessary,” Blumenthal said in the statement. “Congress must act swiftly to implement protections as we confront the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, and the dangerous and disturbing harms of social media to children.”
Rep. Joe Courtney agreed, saying that there need to be guardrails in place when consumer — especially children’s — privacy could be at stake.
“I believe we have a duty to fashion changes to online privacy and protections that protect children in a manner that does not infringe upon our constitutional right to free speech,” Courtney said in a statement.
Gerry Smith, a Republican hoping to unseat Murphy in the fall elections, raised many of the same concerns in reply to a request for comment from CT Examiner, voicing support for Blumenthal’s bill and applauding the safety measures and tools for parents to protect their children online.
“As much as I abhor expanding the reach of government, I am 100% in favor of Congress taking action in this area to protect our children,” Smith said in a statement.
He added, “I expect safeguards allowing children access to faith-based content to be in place.”
Meanwhile, Chinasa Okolo, an expert in AI governance and technology at the Center-Left Brookings Institution, urged members of Congress to rely on experts as they make decisions about tech regulation.
She added that “younger members of our society are more vulnerable to the influences that AI can hold,” emphasizing the importance of establishing regulations for young people who use emerging technologies.
“I think it’s important that we ensure these protections for minors, and then also ensure that they can safely interact with these tools because I don’t think that banning minors or other community members from interacting with these tools is the solution,” Okolo said. “We have to encourage responsible adoption, also responsible interactions, and regulation will be important in that.”
As Congress considers possible tech regulations, Himes said that lawmakers will have to find a way forward that maintains the country’s “innovative reputation” while also protecting the public’s privacy.
“In everything from cryptocurrency to AI to social media, the whole point is to have regulation that is balanced between protecting people from fraud, from criminal acts, from violations of their liberties without stopping innovation, that’s always the tension,” Himes said. “It’s high time that we started thinking both about data privacy, as well as regulation of things like blockchain, cryptocurrencies and some applications of artificial intelligence.”
George Logan, the Republican challenger to incumbent Rep. Jahana Hayes, and Mike France, the Republican challenger to Rep. Joe Courtney, were not available for comment on this story. Rep. Rosa Delauro also did not respond to a request for comment.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.
Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
-
News20 minutes agoTrump says proof of his allegations that vandals cut Reflecting Pool paint will be provided in court
-
New York2 hours agoVideo: Historic Brooklyn Church Destroyed in Fire
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours ago2 killed in high-speed crash on Mulholland Highway
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoMan armed with gun shot by police in downtown Detroit ahead of fireworks show, police say
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoSan Francisco home with a history of squatters hits the market for $1.3 million
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoMiami Heat slip behind Boston Celtics in Giannis Antetokounmpo race
-
Dallas, TX2 hours ago1 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Battle That Could Make Or Break 2026 Season
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoWith Columbia Threadneedle out, Boston Triathlon director is looking for a new sponsor – The Boston Globe
