By: Senator Payano
10/25
On September 25th, the Massachusetts Senate took decisive action to protect the personal information of our residents by passing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act on a unanimous 40–0 vote. This landmark legislation will ensure that Massachusetts has some of the strongest data privacy protections in the country.
The digital world has become central to our daily lives. Whether we are attending a telehealth appointment, signing our children up for school activities online, or simply using our phones, we constantly share information. Too often, that information is collected, stored, and sold without our knowledge or consent.
This bill changes that.
The Massachusetts Data Privacy Act guarantees that every resident has the right to know what personal data is being collected, who it is shared with, and how it is used. It gives people the power to correct inaccuracies, delete their data, and opt out of having their information sold or used for targeted advertising.
Sensitive data, including health records, biometrics such as face and fingerprint scans, precise GPS locations, religion, sexual orientation, and any data about children, will receive heightened protections. Businesses and nonprofits will be prohibited from selling this information, and companies will only be able to collect what is necessary to provide their services. Importantly, the bill also bans the sale of minors’ personal data and the use of children’s information for targeted advertising.
I am proud to have served as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity, where this bill was carefully developed over several years. Working families across the Merrimack Valley should not have to choose between using modern technology and protecting their privacy.
With this legislation, we are putting power back into the hands of the people and ensuring that our communities are not left vulnerable to corporations that profit from personal information.
This was a bipartisan victory. Every Senator, regardless of party, voted to support these protections. I want to thank Senate President Karen Spilka, Majority Leader Cynthia Creem, Senator Michael Moore, and all of my colleagues who worked tirelessly on this bill. Together, we have shown that Massachusetts can lead the nation in consumer protection and digital rights.
The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. If enacted, Massachusetts will set a national standard for safeguarding privacy in the digital age. For the people of Methuen, Lawrence, and Haverhill, this means greater control, stronger protections, and peace of mind that your data belongs to you, and not to those looking to profit from it. ◊