Massachusetts
Small businesses are the backbone of Massachusetts’ economy — employing more than 1.4 million people and representing 99.5% of businesses in the state. As lawmakers consider new laws and regulations, it’s crucial that they weigh the potential impact on small businesses’ ability to use affordable, effective digital tools to grow, compete, and stay resilient in today’s uncertain economy.
Key Policy Issues
Digital Economy
Data Privacy
Overview: The Massachusetts Senate recently passed S.2619, an act establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, which would have serious unintended consequences for small businesses.
Though well-intentioned, the proposal goes too far. It would overregulate how small businesses use basic customer data. The same data that powers essential digital tools that many businesses use every day to reach customers and grow.
The Problem: S.2619 would impose strict limits on how businesses can use non-personally identifiable data — which small businesses depend on to power digital ads, inform marketing analytics, and personalize customer experiences.
By restricting data collection and use to only what’s necessary to complete a specific customer request (like executing a single transaction), the bill would make it much harder for small businesses to follow up with past customers, promote new products, or use analytics tools that help their audience.
It could also expose small businesses to costly and unnecessary lawsuits.
The Impact: If this bill becomes law as currently written, small businesses could lose access to affordable digital tools that level the playing field against big competitors. Customers could also miss out on information about products, services, and promotions they’re interested in.
At a time of heightened economic uncertainty, this bill threatens to add a new barrier to small business growth and success, making Massachusetts one of the most restrictive states in the country for small businesses trying to responsibly use data.
Take Action: Massachusetts small businesses need a balanced privacy law that protects consumers and supports small business growth.
Send a message urging lawmakers to oppose S.2619.
Co-sponsors: Michael O. Moore, Cynthia Stone Creem, William J. Driscoll, Jr., Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, James B. Eldridge, Julian Cyr, Bradley H. Jones, Jr., Patricia D. Jehlen
Status: S.2619 was passed by the Massachusetts Senate and has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.
Key Officials
Send a letter to your representatives in Massachusetts urging them to veto harmful legislation.
Oppose Restrictive Data Privacy Proposal in Massachusetts
🚨 The MA Senate just passed S.2619 — an extreme data privacy bill that does little to protect consumer privacy. Instead, it would make it much harder for small businesses to reach customers and compete online.
Fill out the form to sign our letter below urging lawmakers to oppose S.2619.
Dear Massachusetts Lawmakers,
I am writing to express my deep concern about S.2619, the data privacy bill that recently passed the Massachusetts Senate. Though well-intentioned, S.2619 would significantly harm small businesses like mine — making it harder for me to advertise effectively, understand my customers, and grow.
Data-powered digital ads help me reach customers interested in my products, and data-based insights provided by my digital partners help me improve my business’s marketing strategy efficiently. None of this involves any sensitive or personally identifiable data — it’s simply about reaching the right audience.
If passed, S.2619 would severely restrict this valuable data, making it harder and more expensive for small businesses like mine to reach new customers, generate repeat customers, and compete against larger companies. Making matters worse, I am also concerned that the bill’s complex compliance requirements would make me an easy target for predatory lawsuits I simply cannot afford.
I respect our customers’ privacy and support sensible data privacy regulations. But S.2619 goes too far. I urge you not to overregulate the data that powers small businesses’ most effective digital advertising tools. Please oppose S.2619 before it does lasting harm to Massachusetts’ small business community.
