Mass. GOP Senators Push For Internet Privacy Protections

Massachusetts may be the latest state to consider protections for broadband privacy.

State Senate Republicans have filed legislation that would prevent internet service providers from using or selling customer information without their permission.

The bill is in response to a move by Republicans in Washington to repeal Obama-era federal regulations that would have prohibited collection of customer information without consent.

Senate Republican Leader Bruce Tarr says the federal government has created a situation that threatens consumers and undermines the Federal Communications Commission.

"People who would naturally have an expectation of privacy and an expectation that their information was not going to be sold would now be left without the protections that the FCC had intended," Tarr tells WBUR.

Sen. Donald Humason, a Westfield Republican, says the bill would protect Massachusetts residents against the sale of their personal information.

The measure would also prohibit internet service providers from imposing a charge on consumers who do not give consent.

Several other states including Illinois, Minnesota and Montana are considering similar legislation.

With reporting by the Associated Press