By Bob Katzen
The House 159-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would prohibit the sale of cellphone data collected during an individual’s visit to Massachusetts health care facilities that offer reproductive and gender affirming care. Currently, data brokers are allowed to sell data that tracks the location of cellphone users.
Supporters said that since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, location data firms have been selling location information related to patients’ visits to Planned Parenthood facilities. They noted the information could be used to target and harass individuals and providers of these services.
“To ensure the protections for patients, providers and their families established by this Legislature truly exist, it is essential that we likewise protect digital footprints of those seeking, receiving and providing abortion and gender-affirming care,” said Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose). “This legislation is the first step in providing that protection at a time when more than 20 state legislatures have banned or severely restricted access to abortion and gender-affirming care.”
“We know that purchasing location data to target Planned Parenthood patients or providers is part of the anti-abortion playbook, not just in restrictive states but everywhere,” said Dominique Lee, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “Now is the time to strengthen data privacy so that cellphone location data cannot be used to target people traveling to and from our health centers, or to target anyone seeking health care that is protected in our state.”
“With the passage of today’s bill, the House has made important progress to address the evolving threat to abortion patients and providers,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “In the two years post-Dobbs, hostile actors have targeted the location data of patients and providers in all 50 states, and now, we are increasingly concerned that this data will be weaponized against those seeking and providing care in Massachusetts.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes