Massachusetts Small Businesses Warn State Privacy Legislation Could Affect Competition, Consumer Choice, and Innovation
Publish Date: 2026-07-15 08:30:00
Source Domain: www.prnewswire.com
Internet for Growth coalition says legislation before State House leaders could shape online discovery, free digital services, and Massachusetts’ digital economy.
WASHINGTON and BOSTON, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Massachusetts small businesses are urging State House leaders to protect consumer privacy while preserving the competition, consumer choice, affordability, and innovation that have become essential to the Commonwealth’s economy.
The coalition letter, submitted this week by Massachusetts members of Internet for Growth—a nationwide coalition of small businesses, entrepreneurs, creators, and community organizations—comes as State House leaders reconcile competing House and Senate consumer privacy bills. Coalition members say Massachusetts risks becoming a national outlier by adopting overly restrictive privacy provisions that could reduce competition, limit consumer choice, increase costs, and make online services less useful for businesses and consumers alike.
“As the conference committee completes its work, I hope lawmakers remember that consumer privacy and small-business success are not competing goals,” said Carlos Vargas, whose family-owned insurance agency has helped Greater Boston families and local businesses navigate everything from auto and homeowners coverage to business insurance for decades. “Massachusetts can strengthen both by protecting personal information while preserving the competition, consumer choice, affordability, and innovation that help consumers discover trusted local businesses, make informed decisions, and support the communities they call home.”
Consumers rarely begin shopping knowing exactly what they want. They research, compare options, read reviews, and discover businesses before making a decision. Coalition members say privacy laws should protect personal information without making it harder for people to discover products and services or for local…
