Massachusetts Passes Privacy Bill Banning Sale of Precise Location Data
Massachusetts has passed a new privacy rights bill that introduces a blanket ban on the sale of precise location data. The legislation targets companies and startups operating within the state, restricting their ability to sell location information that can be tied to individuals.
The bill represents a significant expansion of data privacy protections at the state level, focusing specifically on the collection and commercialization of precise geolocation data. Such data can reveal sensitive details about a person's movements, daily routines, medical appointments, and other private activities.
Privacy advocates have long raised concerns about the trade in precise location data, which can be harvested from mobile apps, devices, and other digital services. The new Massachusetts law aims to give residents greater control over this particularly sensitive category of personal information.