In the midst of San Francisco's Tech Week 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom has put pen to paper on AB 656, a legislation introduced by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita) to streamline the process of social media account cancellation while also ensuring the complete removal of personal data upon deletion. As part of the Governor's ongoing efforts to bolster consumer rights and privacy, additional bills were signed targeting data brokers and third-party data sales. According to an official release from the Governor's office, this slate of regulations is set to enhance Californians' control over their personal information within the digital realm.
"It shouldn't be hard to delete social media accounts, and it shouldn't be even harder to take back control of personal data. With these bills, social media users can assuredly delete their accounts, not leaving their data behind," Governor Newsom addressed, looking to secure an uncomplicated experience for consumers wishing to safeguard their digital footprint. On the state's proactive approach to digital privacy, Assemblymember Schiavo told California's government news outlet, "Social media users deserve to have the confidence that they can easily delete their account and when they do that their personal information is deleted too."
Beyond AB 656, other notable legislation, including SB 361, authored by Senator Josh Becker, promises to lay bare the practices of data brokers by mandating increased transparency in regards to personal information collection and potential accessibility. In addition, AB 566 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal aims to empower Californians in exercising their privacy rights through a browser setting that would send an opt-out preference signal to websites, streamlining the process of declining third-party data sales. These newly inked laws enhance the remit of the California Consumer Privacy Act and other prior consumer protections.
Complementary measures in the fight for consumer rights have also been put into effect this year. Car buyer safeguards against unnecessary add-ons, along with enhanced antitrust regulations, are among them. Further fortifying the Golden State's protective framework, in a move to possibly prevent the exploitation of pricing algorithms. The suite of new regulations ties back to the landmark California Privacy Rights Act approved by voters in November 2020, which added new layers of privacy protection and established the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) for implementation and enforcement duties.
.jpg){kind=link}