Massachusetts Passes Landmark Data Privacy Legislation

On June 5, 2026, the Massachusetts House unanimously passed a significant data privacy bill, H 5472, granting consumers new rights over their personal data. The bill mandates affirmative consent for the sale or sharing of sensitive information, including precise geolocation data and biometric information. This legislation follows the Senate's earlier approval of a similar bill, S 2619, in September 2025. The combined bills aim to enhance consumer protections and impose stricter regulations on companies handling personal data. The law targets businesses processing data for over 100,000 consumers and includes special provisions for minors. The Attorney General will oversee enforcement, allowing private individuals to take action against large data holders. The legislation positions Massachusetts as a leader in data privacy, responding to growing concerns over data misuse in the tech industry.

Key Points: • Massachusetts passed a comprehensive data privacy bill requiring consent for data sale. • The law bans the sale of precise geolocation data and mandates protections for minors. • The Attorney General will enforce the law, allowing private actions against large data holders.