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S 2608

An Act establishing the Massachusetts data privacy act

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 8 co-sponsors

Massachusetts data privacy bill grants consumers rights to access, delete, and control personal data while requiring businesses to obtain consent and implement safeguards.

Reprinted, as amended, see S2619
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Bill Summary · S 2608

Legislative bill overview

S 2608 establishes Massachusetts's first comprehensive data privacy law, creating consumer rights regarding personal data collection, use, and sharing by businesses. The bill requires companies to obtain consent before processing personal information, provide data access/deletion rights, and implement privacy safeguards similar to laws already in effect in California, Colorado, and Virginia.

Why is this important

Massachusetts residents currently lack baseline privacy protections that exist in other states, leaving them vulnerable to unrestricted commercial data exploitation. Passage would affect how all businesses operating in Massachusetts handle consumer data and could establish the state as a privacy-protective jurisdiction, though it may increase compliance costs for businesses.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and exemptions: Disagreement over which businesses/data types should be covered, with rejected amendments suggesting debate over financial institution and healthcare provider carve-outs
  • Consumer burden vs. business burden: Tension between robust privacy rights requiring frequent consent mechanisms versus operational costs for companies managing multiple privacy requests
  • Enforceability and penalties: Questions about whether penalties are sufficient to deter violations and which state agencies should enforce compliance

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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