Massachusetts officials have approved measures offering residents enhanced control to view and remove personal information stored by major technology firms. The legislation further prohibits firms from trading users exact location details.

State representatives in the House approved the Consumer Data Privacy Act with a 146-0 unanimous decision on Thursday. This follows the Senate where all 40 members supported progress on a similar proposal back in September. The versions will now merge in the Senate before heading to the governor for expected approval though timing remains uncertain.

This action positions Massachusetts among other states advancing consumer data safeguards amid ongoing concerns over practices in tech advertising and social platforms. Without a national standard unlike many other democracies states have created varied regulations to address privacy within their borders.

Once enacted the rules target organizations managing data for over 100000 individuals impacting mid-sized new companies along with large Silicon Valley players.

The provisions forbid sharing or selling sensitive details absent direct user approval covering biometrics like health records genetic info and fingerprints along with exact location details and indicators of religion immigration background or sexual orientation.

Location data trading has sparked intense privacy discussions over time. Brokers have depended on app makers providing user positions for resale to paying parties such as individuals governments and defense entities. Officials often note no warrant is required for buying such openly sold information.

Federal efforts under the prior administration nearly halted sales of sensitive data but current leadership has reversed that approach.

Extending the location restrictions to both locals and visitors the law effectively stops such sales statewide. It is expected to influence new firms handling location details in the area plus ad companies relying on it for targeting.

Local outlets including WBUR and the Lynn Journal report that lawmakers from both parties collaborated viewing privacy as a core right for residents.

Privacy organizations have largely welcomed the proposal.

Evan Greer from Fight for the Future noted it advances efforts against surveillance overreach by large tech firms while the ACLU highlighted how it establishes the state as a frontrunner in safeguarding individual data and limiting online monitoring.