A Massachusetts restaurant chain agreed to pay a $110,000 fine to settle a complaint that alleged hackers nabbed customers’ credit card and debit card info in 2009.

ThreatPost reports the state’s data breach protection law is the toughest in the nation, forcing businesses to be accountable to customers whose data they fail to protect. As part of the settlement, the chain will step up its security measures.

The Massachusetts law, which the state put into effect a year ago, requires businesses and individuals that store customers’ data to encrypt the info, as well as its transmission, or face heavy fines. Business groups opposed the law, arguing it was too expensive to comply with.

Restaurant Chain is First Fined Under Massachusetts Data Breach Law [ThreatPost via Slashdot]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.