Source URL: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/09/24/2034226/california-governor-vetoes-bill-requiring-opt-out-signals-for-sale-of-user-data?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: California Governor Vetoes Bill Requiring Opt-Out Signals For Sale of User Data
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Summary: The text discusses California Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of a consumer privacy bill that aimed to empower users with a universal opt-out function for their personal information in web browsers and mobile operating systems. Despite previous privacy legislation signed by Newsom, this decision raises concerns among advocates regarding the influence of major tech companies over policy decisions.
Detailed Description:
The text outlines a significant legislative decision by California Governor Gavin Newsom concerning consumer privacy, particularly as it relates to web browsers and mobile operating systems. Here are the key points:
– **Veto of Consumer Privacy Bill**: Governor Newsom vetoed a bill that sought to enforce a requirement for web browsers and mobile OS developers to include an opt-out preference signal, allowing users to limit the use of their personal information by businesses.
– **Privacy Concerns**: Although Newsom acknowledges the need for enhanced consumer privacy, he expressed concerns about the feasibility of mandating such a feature, pointing out that as of now, major mobile operating systems do not support such an opt-out option.
– **Comparison with Existing Solutions**: The governor noted that while most Internet browsers offer some form of opt-out, mobile operating systems do not currently integrate this functionality, suggesting that keeping regulations flexible allows developers to create better solutions without immediate mandates.
– **Legislative Dynamics**: The Senate and Assembly had approved the bill with significant majorities (59-12 in the Assembly and 31-7 in the Senate), yet overriding a veto is historically challenging in this context.
– **Industry Influence**: Privacy advocates, such as Justin Kloczko from Consumer Watchdog, criticized the veto, arguing that the major browsers—like Google Chrome and Safari—dominate the market without providing a comprehensive opt-out feature. The absence of such a function, particularly in default mobile browsers, is alarming to privacy rights proponents.
– **Implications for Developers and Regulators**: The suggestion that design solutions should be left to developers rather than being imposed by regulation may stifle necessary advancements in established frameworks designed to protect user privacy.
In conclusion, this veto highlights ongoing tensions between tech industry practices, regulatory approaches to consumer privacy, and the challenge of navigating user empowerment in an era dominated by major players in the browser and OS market. Security professionals, particularly in compliance and regulatory roles, should closely monitor these developments as they could influence future privacy regulations and frameworks within AI, cloud, and infrastructure security.