California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a landmark privacy law enacted in California that gives residents more control over their personal data. It allows consumers to know what personal information businesses collect about them, whether it's being sold or shared, and to whom. Under the CCPA, consumers can request that a company disclose the categories and specific pieces of personal data it has collected, and they can also ask businesses to delete that information or stop selling it altogether. The law applies to certain for-profit businesses that meet thresholds related to revenue, data collection, or data sales.

One of the key aspects of the CCPA is its broad definition of personal information, which includes things like browsing history, Geolocation Data, and even biometric information. The law also introduced the concept of a Do Not Sell My Personal Information link, which businesses must provide on their websites to allow users to opt out of data sales. Furthermore, the CCPA includes provisions for non-discrimination, meaning businesses cannot treat consumers unfairly if they exercise their privacy rights. Enforcement is handled by the California Attorney General, but recent amendments have expanded enforcement powers to a new agency called the California Privacy Protection Agency.

Overall, the CCPA represents a significant shift toward greater consumer data rights in the U.S., influencing similar legislation in other states and sparking national debates on data privacy.