Reproductive Equity Now Joins Labor, Reproductive Rights, Civil Liberties Advocates Applaud Massachusetts State Senate’s Passage of Data Privacy Legislation
New bill includes complete ban on sale of sensitive data
Boston (September 25, 2025) – The Massachusetts Senate today passed the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act (S.2608) (MDPA), which would provide strong, comprehensive protections for consumers and communities especially vulnerable to the abuse of sensitive personal data. The MDPA combines the most effective provisions of data privacy laws passed in other states while avoiding novel compliance obligations for businesses.
Advocates praise Senate leadership for recognizing the urgent need to shore up digital privacy protections to protect our democracy and our personal safety — especially at a time of escalating political extremism and violence, targeted acts of hate, federal assaults on vulnerable groups, and attempts to quell dissent. Among the bill’s most effective provisions is a complete ban on the sale of sensitive data, which ensures that Bay Staters’ deeply personal and private information cannot be bought or sold on the open market.
Reproductive Equity Now, The ACLU of Massachusetts, Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action, Electronic Privacy Information Center, and Consumer Reports issued the following statements in response:
Claire Teylouni, senior director of policy and programs and interim co-executive director for Reproductive Equity Now: “We are thrilled that the Senate has taken strong action to protect Bay Staters’ data privacy. We are especially encouraged by the inclusion of core provisions of the Location Shield Act prohibiting the sale of sensitive location data — which can reveal where we live, work, travel, seek health care, and more. Protecting the privacy of patients and providers is critical as we stand up to the Trump administration and work to ensure Massachusetts remains a safe beacon for abortion and reproductive health care. We thank Senate President Spilka, Senator Creem, and Senator Friedman for their leadership in recognizing that protecting our digital footprints is essential to securing reproductive equity. We look forward to working with our partners and champions in the House to continue to advance this bill.”
Carol Rose, executive director at the ACLU of Massachusetts: “Massachusetts urgently needs strong privacy laws to prohibit companies from collecting or manipulating our personal information in ways that threaten our safety, discriminate against us, or otherwise threaten our most essential rights. We are deeply grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Cynthia Creem, Senator Cindy Friedman, and Senator Michael Moore for their leadership and vision on this critical issue. Protecting privacy is more urgent today than ever before, as the Trump administration unleashes attack after attack on the rule of law and our most cherished freedoms. We look forward to working with leaders in the House to pass these critical democratic protections in their strongest possible form.”
Dominique Lee, president of Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts: "Escalating federal attacks make it even more important to create and strengthen data privacy protections and their enforcement for reproductive health care providers, staff, volunteers, and most of all, patients. People providing or seeking legally protected health care in Massachusetts should never have to fear that their movements will be tracked and that data sold to the highest bidder. This bill is a critical safeguard for reproductive freedom, and we thank the Senate for their swift action."
Chrissy Lynch, president of Massachusetts AFL-CIO: “People expect privacy protections at home and at work. We applaud the Senate’s leadership in moving strong data privacy legislation forward and rejecting Big Tech’s premise that our personal and sensitive information should be up for sale. We will continue to advocate for workplace protections around employer misuse of employee data and continued collective bargaining on the impact of new technology and services on workers."
Cindy Rowe, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA): “The Massachusetts Data Privacy Act is vital to defending religious liberty in our Commonwealth. People should be able to pray in a synagogue, mosque, or other house of worship of their choice and not have to worry that anyone could trace their location through their cell phone when they enter that building. Banning the sale of our cell phone location data without our knowledge and consent is a measure that is long past due, and I thank the Massachusetts Senate for advancing this legislation."
Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center: “EPIC commends the Senate for passage the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, which puts meaningful limits on the over-collection and abuse of our personal data. This bill combines the best consumer protections from other state laws to provide Massachusetts residents with some of the strongest privacy protections in the country while minimizing new compliance obligations for companies.”
Matt Schwartz, policy analyst at Consumer Reports: "Consumer Reports applauds the Massachusetts Senate for passing strong privacy legislation. For too long, tech companies have abused their power to exploit our personal data without meaningful accountability. This bill provides strong, default protections and allows consumers to take real control over their personal information. We thank Senator Moore and President Spilka for their leadership in advancing this key legislation, and we look forward to working with the House to continue to move this measure forward.”
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