California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a coalition of 18 attorneys general and state agencies in opposing the Securing and Establishing Consumer Uniform Rights and Enforcement over Data Act (SECURE Data Act), a proposed federal data privacy bill, according to a June 3 announcement. The coalition argued that the SECURE Data Act would replace California’s privacy law with weaker protections and limit the state’s ability to safeguard residents’ privacy.
In a letter sent to Congress, the coalition called for rejection of the SECURE Data Act, emphasizing that federal action should not come at the expense of existing state laws. “Federal action to protect Americans’ privacy is essential, but not at the expense of the strong state laws that already protect Californians. I join colleagues from across the country in opposition to the SECURE Data Act, federal legislation that would leave millions of consumers worse off and with fewer privacy protections,” said Attorney General Bonta. “As tech and data collection practices rapidly innovate, it is essential states keep our ability to respond just as rapidly to protect our residents from emerging privacy threats.”
Since California passed its first comprehensive privacy law in 2018, several other states have adopted similar measures. These laws provide consumers with rights such as managing their data use, protecting minors’ information, limiting how long businesses retain data, and allowing consumers to opt out of having their information sold. The coalition stated that under the SECURE Data Act these protections could be weakened or eliminated.
The letter also said any federal framework must allow states flexibility in responding quickly to technological changes affecting consumer privacy. It noted that states are often better positioned than Congress to address unique local needs as technology evolves.
Bonta was joined by attorneys general from Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia and Washington; as well as by representatives from the California Privacy Protection Agency and Hawai’i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
The California Attorney General’s office serves as chief law enforcement authority for California—enforcing state laws; promoting transparency through tools like OpenJustice; advancing civil rights policies; protecting public safety; exercising statewide jurisdiction; and focusing on areas such as consumer economic security—all under Rob Bonta’s leadership, according to the official website.
