An Act relative to protecting the residents of the Commonwealth
This bill amends Massachusetts law to protect residents from surveillance by foreign adversaries using specific social media platforms. It defines "social media companies" as large platforms with over one million users that sell ads and allow content sharing, while excluding simple review sites or emergency alert services. The legislation specifically targets companies domiciled in or controlled by "countries of concern," explicitly naming Bytedance, TikTok, and WeChat as covered entities. By classifying these platforms as potential threats, the bill establishes a legal framework for the state to regulate or restrict their operations within Massachusetts to safeguard citizen data.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023
Last action Dec 28, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity
lower
1 primary · 17 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mike Soter
RRepublican
Co
Brad Jones
RRepublican
Co
Bruce Tarr
RRepublican
Co
Carmine Gentile
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Hendricks
DDemocratic
Co
Dave Muradian
RRepublican
Co
Hannah Kane
RRepublican
Co
James Arena-DeRosa
DDemocratic
Co
Jay Barrows
RRepublican
Co
Jeff Roy
DDemocratic
Co
Joe McKenna
RRepublican
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