Massachusetts votes to pass new privacy rights bill that bans sale of precise location data
Massachusetts lawmakers have passed a privacy bill that would prohibit companies and startups from selling people's precise location data. The legislation would apply broadly across the state, covering a wide range of commercial actors.
Why this matters: Precise location data is one of the most personal things a company can hold. It shows where you sleep, where you worship, where you get medical care, and who you spend time with. Right now, brokers sell that information freely. This bill says they cannot do that in Massachusetts. That matters for residents, but it also puts pressure on the data broker industry nationally. The catch is always enforcement — a ban only works if someone is actually watching.
Who should care: General readers · Privacy officers · Policy
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