Rules Committee Chairman and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford) has joined Republican colleagues in an effort to combat recent federal legislation passed by the GOP-controlled Congress that will permit internet service providers to use or sell their customers’ browsing histories and other sensitive data.

Under this federal law, no explicit consent is required from the customer. The current legislation introduced by Republican Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) on Beacon Hill last Friday will forbid this practice for firms operating within the Commonwealth and prohibit ISPs like Comcast and Verizon Communications from charging extra to customers who refuse to share their personal data.

“Rather than ‘draining the swamp’ Congress chose to put their cozy relationships with lobbyists before our fundamental right to privacy,” said Senator Montigny. “I look forward to working with my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, to help combat this egregious abuse of public trust in our democratic process.”

The bill, titled An Act ensuring internet security and privacy, must now be formally admitted by the Rules Committee and then undergo a public hearing during the legislative committee process.

--Senator Montigny's Office

 

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