What is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)?

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a comprehensive privacy law in the state of California, United States. The CCPA grants California residents specific rights regarding their personal information and imposes certain obligations on businesses that collect, process, or sell consumer data. The law is designed to enhance consumer privacy and provide individuals with more control over how their personal information is handled by businesses.

Key features of the California Consumer Privacy Act include:

Consumer Rights:

The CCPA provides California residents with the following rights regarding their personal information:
The right to know what personal information is being collected, used, shared, or sold.
The right to access their personal information held by businesses.
The right to request the deletion of their personal information.
The right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information.
Opt-Out of Sale:

The CCPA requires businesses to provide a clear and conspicuous link on their websites titled "Do Not Sell My Personal Information." This allows consumers to opt-out of the sale of their personal information.
Non-Discrimination:

Businesses are prohibited from discriminating against consumers who exercise their privacy rights. This means that businesses cannot deny goods or services, charge different prices, or provide a different level of service based on a consumer's exercise of their privacy rights.
Data Breach Notification:

The CCPA requires businesses to implement reasonable security procedures and practices to protect consumer data. In the event of a data breach, businesses are required to notify affected consumers.
Applicability:

The CCPA applies to businesses that meet certain criteria, including having annual gross revenues exceeding $25 million, collecting personal information of a certain number of California residents, or deriving 50% or more of their annual revenues from selling consumers' personal information.
Enhanced Privacy Disclosures:

Covered businesses are required to provide detailed disclosures in their privacy policies regarding the categories of personal information collected, the purposes for which it is used, and the rights of consumers.
Enforcement and Penalties:

The California Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the CCPA. Non-compliant businesses may face penalties and fines for violations.
The CCPA represents a significant step in the direction of privacy regulation in the United States, and it has influenced discussions at the federal level about potential nationwide privacy legislation. Organizations that fall within the scope of the CCPA are required to comply with its provisions to ensure the protection of consumer privacy.