Senatory Ed Markey (D-Mass.) is planning to introduce legislation to extend the TikTok ban deadline by 270 days. TikTok has warned of a looming shutdown in just five days, but the new legislation, officially called the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act, would give TikTok more time to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance, if approved by Congress.

TikTok is currently expected to “go dark” on January 19, unless the Supreme Court intervenes to delay the ban. The Supreme Court is weighing the ban, and is expected to decide sometime this week whether the law behind the ban violates the First Amendment.

“As the January 19th deadline approaches, TikTok creators and users across the nation are understandably alarmed,” Markey said in a Senate floor speech on Monday. “They are uncertain about the future of the platform, their accounts, and the vibrant online communities they have cultivated. “These communities cannot be replicated on another app. A ban would dismantle a one-of-a-kind informational and cultural ecosystem, silencing millions in the process.”

Markey noted that while TikTok has its problems and poses a “serious risk” to the privacy and mental health of young people, a ban “would impose serious consequences on millions of Americans who depend on the app for social connections and their economic livelihood.”

Markey and Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), along with Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), recently submitted a bipartisan amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reverse the D.C. Circuit Court’s decision that upheld the TikTok ban. The trio argued that the TikTok ban conflicts with the First Amendment.

CONCORD, N.H. (WCAX) – A new cyber security bill is in effect in New Hampshire.

The Data Privacy Act went into effect on January 1.

It allows New Hampshire residents to control if and how companies that operate in the state use their personal data.

To help residents understand their rights, the state attorney general announced a frequently asked questions page.

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Sen. Pat Diegnan, chair of the state’s Senate Transportation Committee, was a prime sponsor of the measure.

“Out of incomprehensible tragedies, the grieving family members who have been supportive of this legislation continue to keep alive the indomitable spirit of their loved ones, turning heartbreaking loss into life-changing advocacy,” Diegnan said. “They embody why making our roads safe for all road users must be a priority for our state. The commission will create a clear and comprehensive plan to save lives and protect our communities.”

“New Jersey’s rise in traffic fatalities is a trend that we absolutely must reverse,” said Asm. Rob Karabinchak, another prime sponsor of the measure. “I can’t imagine the pain of losing a loved one in a senseless traffic accident. No family should endure the devastation caused by reckless drivers or dangerous roadways. These deaths are preventable, and we must take action to improve safety.”

Tracy Noble, a spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said the number of people killed in vehicle accidents in New Jersey is unacceptable.

“We need to stop deciding to drive distracted. We need to stop deciding to get behind the wheel if we are impaired by alcohol or drugs, whether it be legal [or]recreational, and we need to eliminate driving well above the speed limit,” she said.

“We’ve seen survey after survey that says it’s not me, it’s the other guy,” Noble added. “Well, you need to take stock of what you’re doing, as well.”

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia strongly supported the passage of the bill.

“The signing of this bill reminds us of our beloved colleague and fellow cyclist, Andrea Gonzalez, who was tragically killed by a driver in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in October 2023,” Christopher Gale, the coalition’s executive director, said. “Her loss and the many other lives lost due to crashes with vehicles moves us to keep this urgent issue at the forefront and we are committed to working alongside New Jersey lawmakers to achieve zero deaths on our transportation network.”