Pennsylvanians should be able to go to the park, go to the store, or just travel around their community without their locations being disclosed or shared because of location tracking apps and software on their phones. Addressing the collection and use of location tracking is imperative due to its wide-ranging effects – the tracking and collection of this data impacts the privacy of every person with a mobile phone.

Thus, I will be introducing legislation to require covered entities to obtain consent from individuals before collecting or processing their location data from their devices. These entities would also be required to provide consumers with an easily understandable location privacy policy that describes their practices and procedures for the collection, processing, management, storage, retention and deletion of location information. My bill would further forbid the sale of precise cell phone location data, and prevent governmental entities from monetizing this data.

Every Pennsylvanian has the right to manage how and why their location information is obtained, processed, and used. With this bill, Pennsylvanians will have a say in whether or not their location information is collected and know that it cannot be sold or used without their consent.

It is imperative that we protect location information and protect a person’s privacy. I hope that you will join me in supporting this important legislation.