People enjoy their privacy and, as a result, can be incredibly particular when it comes to who has access to their data and what their data will be used for. Because of this, there are laws that provide citizens with protection. In recent years, California has put forth regulations that give consumers better control over their personal data.
The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 gives consumers in California greater protections over the personal information that businesses collect.
If you are a business owner in California, there are several guidelines and laws that you must follow. Privacy protections like those detailed in the CCPA provide an example of this. Failure to abide by consumer protection laws can lead to costly litigation. For help understanding the laws and your obligations or for assistance with a legal suit, the Los Angeles business litigation attorneys at the Leiva Law Firm offer resourceful and knowledgeable guidance and legal representation.
What Does the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 Say?
In 2018, the CCPA allowed for the following:
- Consumers are given the right to know what personal information a business is collecting and the way that information is being shared.
- Consumers are given the right, in most situations, to delete their information after it has been collected.
- Consumers are given the right to opt out of having their information sold or shared.
- Consumers are protected from discrimination for exercising their rights under the legislation.
Then, in 2020, voters approved amending the CCPA with Proposition 24. The newly amended regulations were active on January 1, 2023. They gave even greater protections to consumers’ personal data by adding additional rights, including:
- Consumers have the right to make corrections to personal data that is incorrect.
- Consumers have the right to limit a business’s ability to use sensitive personal information.
Businesses must adhere to CCPA guidelines, and they also must be responsive to consumers wishing to exercise their rights. This means that businesses that hear from consumers wanting greater safeguards in place for their information must acknowledge the requests and reply. Additionally, the CCPA makes it necessary that businesses have a clear explanation of their privacy practices and that they make them available to their consumers.
The CCPA defines personal information as anything that identifies a person or is reasonably linked to them or their household. Examples would be a person’s social security number, their personal email address, or a detailed history of the products that they purchased.
The CCPA defines sensitive data as personal data that is especially vulnerable such as account passwords and log-in credentials, private text messages, sexual orientation, health data, and more.
Any information that is in the public domain, like one’s home property record, is not considered protected personal information.
Speak with a California Business Attorney Today
In some situations, there may exist a fine line between what is protected information and what is not. Also, the way that a business conducts itself with respect to its consumers’ information may be unlawful.
For any questions about the CCPA, the Los Angeles business lawyers at Leiva Law can meet with you to discuss your concerns or needs. Call Leiva Law today to schedule a free consultation at (818) 703-1777.
