Goodbye 2019. Hello, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
As of January 1, 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act went into effect. Official enforcement of the act is scheduled for July 1, 2020. There is also an ongoing push to spread like-minded legislation throughout the rest of the 50 states.
What does this mean?
The CCPA targets companies that buy and sell data. It largely refers to California businesses that perform data mining in numbers over 50,000, the new law requires you to disclose your actions with the owners of that data. You must also give them the opportunity to opt-out should they choose to do so.
The CCPA is often presented side-by-side with elements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR is Europe’s regulatory law for data protection. That being said, many companies that deal with global commerce may already be prepared to handle the CCPA.
Businesses that have yet to become equipped for the new law may face large compliance costs. However, the California Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, has offered lenience on smaller businesses that are attempting to become CCPA compliant.
What’s next?
This advancement in privacy law is just the beginning of data-based marketing restrictions. The Privacy for America coalition is also trying to create a Data Protection Bureau that would be housed under the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).
In addition, future changes to the CCPA should be expected. Certain pieces of the CCPA are either too broad or could potentially have unintended consequences. The adjustments to the law will center around enforcing compliance rather than attacking small businesses.
Summary
In summary, the goal of the CCPA is to keep companies from selling California consumer data without their permission. That being said, the repercussions towards small businesses may be unsightly. Also, companies should expect to see high costs and as well as numerous changes as amendments are applied to the new 2020 law.
If you run a similar business and are not located in California, you should still be on the lookout for policy updates and new mandates. the CCPA is expected to set off a chain reaction throughout the U.S. in bringing in stricter privacy laws.
Francine D. Ward
Stuck in a legal bind? Schedule a consultation TODAY.

Francine D. Ward
Attorney-At-Law, Author, Speaker
Follow Francine:
Don’t miss Francine’s Latest Blogs:
- Contract MistakesContract Mistakes Contract Mistakes. No Written Agreement.Probably the number one contract mistake people make is not having written agreements with everyone they do business with. I am always amazed by […]
- 31 Days of Estate PlanningEstate Planning Blogs Estate Planning Blogs. Have you ever wished there was one location to find basic information about estate planning? One location where you could get some definitions for […]
- Trust Mill ScamsDo You Really Want to Work? Five years ago, people complained they couldn’t find work. Today, there are so many jobs available, and no one wants to work. Instead, robbers, […]
- Probate Process — Basic StepsProbate Process Probate process basic steps. When someone passes away, their estate is generally required to go through probate unless there was a valid trust in place. It is a […]
- A Few Reasons Why Asset Protection is ImportantAsset Protection is Important. Why is asset protection important? First, to protect your assets, so they get into the hands of your intended beneficiaries, and to protect the most vulnerable […]
Don’t miss Francine’s Latest Blogs:
- Contract MistakesContract Mistakes Contract Mistakes. No Written Agreement.Probably the number one contract mistake people make is not having written agreements with everyone they do business with. I am always amazed by […]
- 31 Days of Estate PlanningEstate Planning Blogs Estate Planning Blogs. Have you ever wished there was one location to find basic information about estate planning? One location where you could get some definitions for […]
- Trust Mill ScamsDo You Really Want to Work? Five years ago, people complained they couldn’t find work. Today, there are so many jobs available, and no one wants to work. Instead, robbers, […]
- Probate Process — Basic StepsProbate Process Probate process basic steps. When someone passes away, their estate is generally required to go through probate unless there was a valid trust in place. It is a […]
- A Few Reasons Why Asset Protection is ImportantAsset Protection is Important. Why is asset protection important? First, to protect your assets, so they get into the hands of your intended beneficiaries, and to protect the most vulnerable […]