July 12, 2023
The Massachusetts State Legislature is considering a Location Shield Act, which would prevent the sale of cellular location data in the state.
The proposed law would also require companies to get explicit consent before collecting or processing location data. Companies that fail to comply with the law could face legal action from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office.
Under the bill, companies would still be able to collect and use location data, but they would need to get consent from users first. Companies would also be required to delete location data after a certain period of time. The bill would also give users the right to opt out of targeted advertising based on location data.
The Location Shield Act emphasizes the need for companies to have a valid reason and get individual consent before collecting or using location information. The law also requires companies to clearly explain their reasons for collecting location data and to get separate consent for each purpose, unless it is required by law or for an emergency. Additionally, the law would only allow government agencies to access location information with a valid warrant, in exigent circumstances, or if the individual requests it.
The sources for this piece include an article in Gizmodo.
