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TikTok ban would be delayed under proposal by Massachusetts senator

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey aims to extend deadline for TikTok ban
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey aims to extend deadline for TikTok ban 01:46

BOSTON – There's a new push to extend the deadline to ban TikTok in the United States. Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey is among the lawmakers speaking out in support of creators on the app.

Currently, TikTok is set to be banned on January 19. If the law goes into effect, people in the U.S. who have not already downloaded the TikTok app would no longer be able to access it. It will no longer be available for download in app stores.

Sen. Markey opposes TikTok ban

Markey gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor Monday night asking Congress to extend the TikTok ban deadline by 270 days.

Markey has been very vocal in his support of the app, calling it a one-of-a-kind informational and culture ecosystem that thousands of people rely on to pay their bills and feed their families.

Just five days away from the potential ban, Markey said he is introducing legislation called "Extend the TikTok Deadline Act," which would give ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, another 270 days to sell the app. 

Markey also recently submitted a bipartisan brief to repeal the ban altogether, saying it lacks evidence and violates first amendment rights.

Republican Rand Paul from Kentucky and Congressman Ro Khanna of California joined Markey in submitting the amicus brief.

TikTok ban looming

With the ban less than a week away some TikTok users are switching to an app called Rednote. It's also a Chinese app that's described as a mix of Pinterest and Instagram. It's currently the most downloaded app by Americans.

In a statement, Markey said "the stakes are high" with the potential TikTok ban looming.

"Let me be clear: TikTok has its problems. Like every social media platform, TikTok poses a serious risk to the privacy and mental health of our young people," Markey said. "I will continue to hold TikTok accountable for such behavior. But a TikTok ban would impose serious consequences on millions of Americans who depend on the app for social connections and their economic livelihood. We cannot allow that to happen."

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