On July 2, 2024, House Bill 3179 for an Act Relative to Internet Service Provider Data was recommended to be adopted as part of House Study Order 4778. This follows the introduction of the bill on February 16, 2023, and the concurrence of the Massachusetts State Senate on March 28, 2024.

The bill centrally provides that no telecommunication or internet service provider that has entered into a franchise agreement, right of way agreement, or other contract may collect, use, disclose, or otherwise disseminate personal information from a customer resulting from the customer's use of the telecommunication or internet service provider without express written approval from the customer.

In addition, the bill outlines that no telecommunication or internet service provider can add an additional surcharge for customers who do not provide express written approval. They must also not refuse to provide services on the grounds that a customer has not approved the collection, use, disclosure, or other forms of dissemination of the customer's personal information.

Finally, telecommunication or internet service providers must prohibit the sale of a customer's personally identifiable information unless expressly authorized in writing by the customer. Customers may also revoke their consent in writing at any time.

You can track the bill's progress here, read the bill here, view the history of Study Order 4778 here, and download Study Order 4778 here.