In a critical response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent veto of Assembly Bill 3048, consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has expressed that this decision serves the interests of technology companies, particularly Google, at the expense of consumer privacy rights. The proposed legislation aimed to establish a universal framework for online browsers that would allow consumers to manage their personal data privacy settings in a streamlined manner, eliminating the need for users to individually opt out of data collection practices from multiple businesses. “Individuals should not be required to engage in a tedious process involving thousands of clicks to prevent data collection by corporations,” stated Liza Kloczko, a representative from Consumer Watchdog. In his correspondence with the State Assembly regarding his decision to veto the bill, Governor Newsom argued that most internet browsers already offer options for users to control their data usage, suggesting users might download additional plug-ins if needed. However, Kloczko highlighted a significant gap in the Governor’s reasoning, noting that major browsers, including Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge, which collectively account for approximately 90 percent of the market, do not currently provide an effective global opt-out mechanism. “Moreover, Safari, as the default browser for iPhone users, does not support such plug-ins at all,” emphasized Kloczko, pointing out that consumers are not inclined to install additional software for this purpose. The veto represents a regression in consumer rights, particularly as it undermines the progress established by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), according to Consumer Watchdog’s analysis. The organization has recently highlighted significant hurdles faced by Californians in exercising their data privacy rights, revealing that less than one percent of consumers opted out from data collection practices by major data brokers such as Acxiom, prior to the adoption of a global opt-out option that Governor Newsom had previously signed into law. Adding to the controversy, a lobbying group with financial ties to Amazon and Google, termed the Connected Commerce Council, is reported to have urged Governor Newsom to reject AB 3048. Furthermore, Newsom’s previous endorsement of a partnership between the state and technology firms—a deal that diverts considerable state funding to tech companies for artificial intelligence and journalism initiatives—has received considerable backlash from the journalism sector for failing to adequately compensate news outlets for content dissemination. In light of recent security breaches, such as the massive data hack affecting the National Public Data broker, which compromised up to 2.7 billion data records including social security numbers, the imperative for robust consumer data protection is more pressing than ever. “Without legislative support like AB 3048, consumers face a heightened risk of identity theft, complicating their efforts to disconnect from extensive data collection practices,” Kloczko concluded, underscoring the urgency of protective measures in the digital landscape.
Original Source: www.streetinsider.com
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