Consumer Reports supports Massachusetts H. 83/S. 25, the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act. The bill would require businesses to abide by strong data minimization provisions, which would prevent them from collecting or processing information that is not reasonably necessary to provide the specific product or service requested by consumers. It would also extend to Massachusetts consumers important new protections relating to their personal information, including prohibitions against collecting or processing sensitive data unless it is strictly necessary, a ban on the use of sensitive data for targeted advertisements, restrictions against targeting advertisements to children, and more.
The bill also includes:
- Strong enforcement mechanisms, including a private right of action.
- Definitions for the terms “covered data”, “biometric information”, “sensitive information”, and “targeted advertising” that are broader than most other state privacy proposals.
- Non-discrimination and civil rights protections.
To read our full comments on the bill, please see the attached letter.