By: Linda L. Goodman
A new California State Assembly bill was introduced this week that would expand the current Data Breach Law to require businesses to tell consumers when passport numbers, green cards, biometric information like fingerprint, facial recognition or retina scans, have been breached. This new proposal closes the loophole in the breach notification law to add these additional personal information categories.
Currently, the law states that businesses have to notify consumers when social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, credit card numbers, medical information and health insurance data may have been compromised. The new measure is to strengthen and extend the current data privacy protection.
In 2003, California adopted the first state data breach notification law in the country. A lot has been learned about data privacy and lawmakers now have more information to guide them in shaping legislation.
Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, said, “We hope the message to companies is to use every tool at your disposal to protect this very precious information. You do that, and you’re less likely to face financial consequences if a breach does occur.”
Becerra continued, “If you were to lose someone’s jewels or safe deposit box stashed with cash, you’ve got a responsibility to make that person whole, having lost that valuable personal property. “Personal data is no different. In fact, maybe even more precious. Some might say priceless.”
For more information and to view the full release, go to the Attorney General’s website here: https://www.oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-and-assemblymember-levine-unveil-legislation-strengthen
To follow Assemblymember, Marc Levine, go to his website here: https://a10.asmdc.org/
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This article was originally posted on Cliclaw.com as part of my ongoing efforts to share valuable legal insights. I regularly contribute guest blogs to leading websites in the field of internet compliance. In these posts, I cover a range of topics to help businesses stay compliant in the ever-evolving digital world. You can read my latest guest contributions on Cliclaw.com.
This article is a publication of The Goodman Law Firm and is intended to provide information on recent legal developments. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor should it be construed as legal advice or an opinion on specific situations. This may constitute “Attorney Advertising” under the Rules of Professional Conduct and under the law of other jurisdictions.
Linda L. Goodman is the founder of The Goodman Law Firm, concentrating its practice in internet business and law. Her firm’s clients include Advertisers, Affiliates, Affiliate Networks, and ISP’s.
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