California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that ensures consumers have control over their personal data on the internet.
On Thursday, the California State Legislature unanimously passed AB 375, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018. Gov. Brown approved it immediately to prevent a stricter privacy initiative that will appear in the November ballot.
Alastair Mactaggar, a real estate developer and proponent of the privacy initiative, agreed to withdraw it if the legislative solution becomes a law.
The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 will take effect on 2020. Lawmakers believe that the law provide significant privacy protection to consumers without stifling innovation.
Under the law, technology companies are required to disclose the type of information they collect from consumers. Tech companies must also reveal as to whom they are sharing consumers’ data.
Additionally, the law provides consumers the right to prevent tech companies from selling their data. It prohibits tech companies from charging more money or reducing the services to consumers if they decide not to allow them sell their data.
