Massachusetts lawmakers pass consumer data privacy bill

As outlined in TechCrunch, Massachusetts lawmakers have advanced significant privacy protections, granting residents new rights over their personal data and restricting its sale by major technology companies.

The Massachusetts House unanimously passed the Consumer Data Privacy Act, a bill that will give residents rights to access and delete their data held by large tech firms. Crucially, it prohibits companies from selling precise location data without explicit user consent. This legislation applies to companies processing the personal data of over 100,000 consumers, impacting both startups and tech giants.

The bill also bans the sharing or sale of sensitive information, including biometrics, geolocation, and data related to religion, immigration status, and sexual orientation. The bill is expected to be signed into law, creating a significant shift in how companies handle user data within the state.

Source: TechCrunch