Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement following the passage of Assembly Bill 1949 (AB 1949), the California Children’s Data Privacy Act, through the Assembly. Sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), AB 1949 aims to enhance protections for children's data privacy. This legislation represents a continuation of Attorney General Bonta’s efforts to improve child safety online.

"AB 1949 closes a gap in California’s privacy laws that currently allows giant social media companies to exploit our children’s data,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This puts our kids at risk, leaving them vulnerable to having their location and other personal data tracked, shared, and sold online. We must act swiftly to create a safer online space for children to learn, explore, and play.”

The bill seeks to strengthen privacy protections for children under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The CCPA provides increased privacy rights for California consumers, including the right to know what personal information businesses collect and sell, and the right to stop those sales to third parties. However, current provisions do not effectively protect 17-year-olds or limit businesses from collecting or exploiting young users' data as long as it is not sold. This loophole has enabled companies like Google and Meta to gather and monetize young users’ data extensively.

Despite businesses being aware that children use their services, they design these services with features potentially harmful to children, such as manipulative techniques encouraging prolonged usage or providing excessive personal information.

AB 1949 proposes stronger data privacy protections under the CCPA for individuals under age 18. It aims to prevent businesses from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of minors without informed consent. For users under 13 years old, this consent must come from a parent.