The Transportation First Series offers a platform to discuss the challenges faced by our region, with the input of experts and changemakers.
06/12/2025
2:45pm - 4:30pm
Hybrid | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Hear from Senator Edward J. Markey, a consumer champion and leader on energy, environmental protection, and telecommunications policy.
06/16/2025
9:45am - 11:00am
Boston Marriott Long Wharf
This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.
06/18/2025
11:30am - 1:00pm
Fairmont Copley Plaza
This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.
Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.
Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.
Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.
City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.
We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).
Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.
BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.
For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.
The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.
Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.
Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.
October 13, 2021
The Chamber believes protecting consumer data and privacy is paramount, but there are significant concerns about policy approaches that authorize private rights of action and create a second standard for entities covered under existing federal laws. Furthermore, instead of a state law, the Chamber prefers federal legislation to create a single, national standard.
The Chamber strongly opposes any legislation, including S. 46, that allows for a private right of action related to data use or privacy, particularly when the action would be coupled with potentially exorbitant awards like 0.15% of global revenue. Furthermore, there are vague and subjective terms that would create a maelstrom if private rights of action were to be litigated. For example, S. 46 prohibits covered entities from using personal information in a way that is “highly offensive” and that they must be “loyal to the individuals whose personal information is processed.” The vagueness of these terms, combined with the potential for tens of millions in awards, risks a tsunami of lawsuits.
In addition, several bills before the committee create a second standard for entities covered by federal data privacy and protection rules. Virginia’s recently adopted law includes more than 10 exemptions for entities already regulated under federal statute for data privacy and data security standards. For example, financial institutions are already required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to provide data collection notice requirements, establish institutional privacy policies, and collect consumer third-party data processing consent, among additional requirements. Other instances in which the state should defer to federal law would include, but is not limited to, health information that already is required to be de-identified in accordance with HIPPA and public health data.
In general, and because of the issues described in this letter, the Chamber strongly prefers federal legislation for addressing consumer data protection and privacy. A single, national standard would make compliance simpler and avoid confusion for both covered entities and consumers about individual data rights.
Download the letter here.
Carolyn Ryan
Senior Vice President, Policy & Research
[email protected]617-557-7310
Download the Letter
Download
Popular Resources