Privacy Rights on Mass. Ballot!

To donate by check, see the petition page at lasttreelaws.com, or scroll down for the direct link.

PRIVACY MATTERS

Privacy prevents stalking, blackmail, identify theft, etc., yet we have little privacy online and in real life because data is money and power. 

With the development of artificial intelligence and other technologies, deep fakes can pretend to be us or our friends, damaging our reputations, democracy, and financial accounts.

Data collection is driving technology in every sector of life, even though the invasion has social and environmental costs.

PRIVACY IS NEEDED THROUGH THE MASS. BALLOT

In Massachusetts numerous national and local organizations testified in the 2021-2022 session in support of legislation to improve privacy, yet the legislation died. Massachusetts legislators have never managed to pass strong privacy protections because data collection is a powerful lobby. 

Our TVs, ISPs, utilities, smart phones, etc., have details about the devices we buy, movies we watch, phone calls, travel, medical needs, etc., and this can all be collected by data brokers and sold for a pittance. Poor security alongside data collection also means loss of social security numbers and other sensitive information is a regular occurrence. 

THERE'S A REASON FOR A WARRANT

Loss of privacy needs to require a good reason, and otherwise be rare. Not only is government supposed to serve a warrant for investigations, but businesses also need to limit their data collection to reasonable use and needs. Youth today often accept loss of privacy simply because egregious privacy violations are commonplace. We need rules that respect privacy.

PLANNING

In 2022 we were certified to gather signatures for a potential ballot question. However, we delayed because we intend to improve the proposal and build a stronger network to gather signatures. Information on our progress will be posted online at LastTreeLaws.com or through the email listserve at the same site.

FUNDS

A strong organization requires funds and a network of support. Not only do we need to purchase campaign software (thousands), but we need to cover delivery of petitions for signatures to Massachusetts voters, delivery to town clerks, and delivery to the Secretary of State, while simultaneously working on education and lobbying. We need funds ASAP to support volunteers and ideally paid staff.

As we're just posting this donor page at the end of January, our goal for the month of January for $150 donated online to insure that we lock in lower fees with our donation processor. Of course, we will need much more to succeed.

ABOUT US 

Privacy Rights at Last Tree Laws is a Massachusetts ballot question committee, formed as required to comply with all state and federal laws. LastTreeLaws.com is currently the home base of the campaign. 

CHECK DONATION

To donate by check, please see instructions at https://lasttreelaws.com/2023/01/checks-and-cash-for-a-ballot-question-committee/