Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association is raising concerns about SB 932 and HB 883, both under consideration today in Maryland legislative committees. CCIA opposes both bills, citing significant privacy risks, vague requirements, and unworkable compliance obligations for digital services.
CCIA warns that SB 932 relies on inaccurate methods, such as IP addresses to determine users’ locations, making compliance effectively impossible while exposing companies to liability regardless of their efforts. Attempts to comply could require the widespread collection of precise geolocation data, which undermines user privacy and conflicts with Maryland’s own privacy law that limits such data collection. The association also notes that requiring platforms to display user location information could expose individuals to stalking, harassment, and other real-world harms.
The association also raises concerns with HB 883, noting that the bill’s broad scope could sweep in general-purpose AI tools, including chat assistants, productivity software, and other commonly used technologies. CCIA warns that overly broad disclosure requirements and a private right of action could create unnecessary compliance burdens, degrade user experience, and contribute to a fragmented patchwork of state AI laws that discourage innovation.
The following statement can be attributed to Megan Stokes, State Policy Director at CCIA, who is testifying against both bills today:
“Maryland’s SB 932 and HB 883 are both well-intentioned but quickly break down in practice. SB 932 creates an impossible standard by relying on inaccurate location data while pushing companies toward collecting more sensitive information that puts users at risk. HB 883 casts too wide a net, applying sweeping requirements to everyday tools that were never designed for behavioral health use. Maryland lawmakers should focus on targeted solutions that protect consumers without creating new privacy risks or unworkable obligations for the services people rely on every day.”
