What is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)?
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, applies to certain businesses (no matter where they are located) that collect personal information about California residents. However, because California is the fifth-largest global economy, it also has a worldwide impact (just like the GDPR).
The law expands the definition of personal identifiable information (PII) to include (in addition to names or phone numbers) such aspects as:
- IP address
- Device identifiers
- Biometric, audio and location information
Right to access
Also under the CCPA, California residents have the right to access their personal information, have it deleted and/or opt out of its “sale,” which is defined to include any disclosure in exchange for something of value.
The CCPA also enables California residents to bring a civil action lawsuit against companies that do not abide by the law. The state also can bring charges to a company directly with a $7,500 fine for any violation that is not addressed within 30 days.
Find out more about the CCPA, including a list of frequently asked questions.
