The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) is a landmark privacy legislation that aims to protect the personal information of California residents. The law extends and strengthens the protections provided by the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), enacted in 2018, and reflects the growing concerns over collecting, using and abusing personal data by companies and government entities. The enforcement of the CPRA was scheduled to begin on 1 January 2023, and companies must understand the provisions of the law and prepare for compliance. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the CPRA, including the regulations, their impact, and the steps companies can take to prepare for enforcement.

History of the CPRA

The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) has become effective since 1 January 2023, and the California Privacy Protection Agency has finalized the regulations through a rulemaking process. The rulemaking process included public comment and review by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). During that time, the agency held regular board meetings to discuss the proposed regulations and receive feedback from the public.

The draft regulations for the CPRA included revisions for specific requirements for cybersecurity, risk assessments, and data breaches, as well as exemptions for certain industries and cross-context behavioral advertising. However, the final regulations may be revised based on public comment and stakeholder feedback, and the agency considers these considerations as they finalize the regulations.

CPRA vs. GDPR

The CPRA builds upon the existing CCPA legislation and incorporates similar provisions to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. The CPRA requires companies to be transparent about their data collection and use practices, provide consumers with greater control over their personal information, and implement strict data privacy measures. The CPRA also gives consumers the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information and requires companies to provide access to their data and honor consumer requests for deletion.

Read here for our article on CPRA vs. GDPR.

CPRA Regulations

The CPRA regulations set guidelines for companies on how they must handle the personal information of California residents. The regulations outline the rights of consumers, the obligations of companies, and the enforcement mechanisms for ensuring compliance. Some key provisions of the regulations include:

1. Transparency: Companies must be transparent about the data they collect, use, and share and provide clear and concise privacy policies.
2. Consumer rights: Consumers have the right to access their personal information, the right to request that their information be deleted, the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information, and the right to receive equal service and pricing, even if they exercise their privacy rights.
3. Data security: In the event of a data breach, companies must put in place strict data security measures, do risk assessments, and let customers know.
4. Data minimization: Companies must only collect the minimum amount necessary for their business purposes and delete data that is no longer needed.
5. Prohibitions on sensitive data: Companies are prohibited from using, sharing, or selling sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, or biometric data, without express consent.
6. Data Collection Thresholds and Geolocation: The CPRA expands the definition of personal data to include data used for decision-making and profiling, and sets thresholds for data collection and geolocation data. The law also requires companies to minimize the data they collect and maintain strong data security measures.
7. Service provider requirements: Service providers must implement privacy policies and data protection measures and are subject to the same obligations and penalties as companies under the CPRA.
8. Exemptions: The CPRA includes certain exemptions for certain industries and cross-context behavioral advertising; however, the final regulations are still being determined.

The CPRA regulations set a high bar for data privacy and provide strong protections for the personal information of California residents. Companies must ensure they are in compliance with the regulations and must regularly review their privacy policies and practices to ensure they remain in compliance. The agency is supposed to give companies advice and training to help them understand the rules. It will investigate and take enforcement action as needed to ensure companies follow the rules.

For more information on CPRA Regulations, click here.

The Impact of the CPRA

The CPRA enforcement date last 1 January 2023 will significantly impact companies that collect and control the personal information of California residents. Here are some of the key impacts of the CPRA:

1. Increased consumer control over personal data: The CPRA gives California residents greater control over their personal information, including the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal data, the right to access their personal information, and the right to request that their information be deleted. This increased consumer control over personal data will significantly impact companies that collect and use consumer data.
2. Higher standards for data privacy: The CPRA sets higher standards for data privacy, including specific requirements for cybersecurity, risk assessments, and data breaches. Companies must implement strict data privacy measures to protect sensitive personal data, including data minimization and security measures. This will significantly impact companies that collect and control large amounts of personal data and require them to implement robust data privacy measures.
3. Increased scrutiny from privacy agencies: The CPRA enforcement date of 1 January 2023, has resulted in increased scrutiny from the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) and the California Attorney General. Companies must be prepared for regular audits and reporting to the agency and comply with the CPRA requirements.
4. Financial penalties for non-compliance: Companies that fail to comply with the CPRA requirements could face significant financial penalties, including fines and legal actions. This will significantly impact companies that are non-compliant with the new privacy law and could result in reputational damage and a loss of consumer trust.
5. Competition and innovation: The CPRA will also drive competition and innovation in the privacy technology industry. Companies that prioritize privacy and invest in new privacy technologies will have a competitive advantage over those that do not. This will encourage the development of new privacy technologies and help companies better protect consumers’ personal information.
   

Preparing for CPRA Enforcement

The CPRA's enforcement date of 1 January 2023 requires companies to be prepared and proactive in their approach to privacy protection. Here are some steps that companies can take to prepare for CPRA enforcement:

A. Review of data privacy policies and practices: Companies should review their existing data privacy policies and practices to ensure they comply with the CPRA requirements. This may include reviewing data collection, use, and storage practices and implementing robust security measures.

B. Providing clear information to consumers - Companies must provide clear and concise information about their data privacy practices, including what data is being collected, how it is being used, and with whom it is being shared.

C. Implementing robust data security measures - The CPRA requires companies to implement strict data privacy measures, including data minimization and data security measures. Companies should ensure adequate security measures to protect sensitive personal data, including encryption, firewalls, and regular software updates.

D. Training employees on data privacy best practices - Employees play a critical role in protecting personal data, so it is important to train them on best practices for data privacy. This may include training on data protection policies and procedures and regular training to stay up-to-date on privacy developments.

E. Regularly assessing data privacy policies and practices - Companies must regularly assess their data privacy policies and practices to ensure they comply with the CPRA requirements. This may include regular reporting to the California Privacy Protection Agency and regular assessments of data privacy policies and practices.

By taking these steps, companies can be prepared for CPRA compliance and ensure that they comply with the new privacy law. Companies that prioritize privacy protection and work with privacy agencies and organizations will be well-positioned to navigate the new privacy landscape and protect the personal information of California residents.

Secure Privacy has an article on the CPRA Compliance Checklist.

Final Thoughts

The CPRA enforcement date of 1 January 2023 marks a new era in privacy protection for California residents. The CPRA is a comprehensive and groundbreaking law that sets a high standard for protecting consumers’ personal information. Companies doing business in California must take the necessary steps to ensure they comply with the CPRA requirements, which may include regular reporting, data security measures, and regular assessments of privacy policies and practices.

The CPRA serves as a model for other states and countries considering privacy legislation, highlighting the importance of protecting consumers’ personal information in the digital age. Companies must work with privacy agencies and organizations to implement best data privacy practices, providing consumers with clear information and implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive personal data.

Failure to comply with the CPRA could result in enforcement actions and significant financial penalties, so it is crucial for companies to be proactive in their approach to privacy protection. Companies, privacy agencies, and consumers can ensure that personal information is protected and privacy rights are respected by working together. In the end, the CPRA enforcement date is a call to action for companies to prioritize privacy protection and to work towards a future where privacy rights are upheld and respected.