USA's first data privacy act gets approval

Data privacy is a growing concern for consumers around the world. In today's digital age, our personal information is collected by a wide range of companies and organizations, both online and offline. This data can be used for legitimate purposes, such as providing us with personalized services and offers. However, it can also be used for less desirable purposes, such as targeted advertising and even fraud.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to give consumers more control over their personal data. This movement has led to the enactment of new privacy laws in many jurisdictions, including the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The United States has been slower to adopt comprehensive data privacy laws. However, in 2020, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which gave consumers in the state a number of rights over their personal data, including the right to know what information is collected about them, the right to request that their data be deleted, and the right to opt out of the sale of their data.

Now, California has taken another step forward in protecting consumer data privacy with the enactment of the California Delete Act. This new law, which was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, will give consumers in California the ability to have their personal data deleted from the databases of data brokers with the push of a button.

See California Privacy Protection Agency's xeet/tweet about the California Delete Act below.

The Delete Act goes into effect on Jan. 1 and tasks the CPPA with administration and enforcement of CA’s Data Broker Registry.

The Agency is responsible for creating a global deletion mechanism by 2026 and reviewing independent audits of data brokers beginning in 2028.

— California Privacy Protection Agency (@CalPrivacy) October 11, 2023

What is the California Delete Act?

The Delete Act is a new California law that requires data brokers to register with the state and to provide consumers with a way to opt out of having their personal data collected and sold. The law also gives consumers the right to have their personal data deleted from the databases of data brokers upon request.

The California Delete Act is important because it gives consumers more control over their personal data. Data brokers can collect a vast amount of information about consumers, including their names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and even their financial and medical information. This information can be used for a variety of purposes, including targeted advertising and even fraud.

Read also: Google is threatening privacy-friendly YouTube frontend Invidious.

Who are data brokers?

Data brokers are businesses that collect and sell personal information about consumers. They can collect this information from a variety of sources, including public records, social media, and websites. Data brokers then sell this information to other businesses, such as advertisers and marketers.

The California Delete Act gives consumers the ability to opt out of having their personal data collected by data brokers and to have their personal data deleted from the databases of data brokers upon request. This means that consumers can have more control over how their personal data is used and protected.

How will the California Delete Act work?

The California Delete Act will be enforced by the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA). The CPPA will create a one-stop-shop website where consumers can opt out of having their personal data collected by data brokers and request that their personal data be deleted.

The CPPA will also require data brokers to register with the state and to provide consumers with information about how their personal data is collected and used. Data brokers will also be required to delete a consumer's personal data upon request within 45 days.

The Delete Act is a welcome development for consumers who are concerned about their data privacy. It gives consumers more control over their personal data and helps to reduce the risk of identity theft and other forms of fraud.

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