Sacramento, California – The California Legislature recently approved Assembly Bill 1542, co-sponsored by Consumer Reports, which would amend the California Consumer Privacy Act to prohibit companies from selling sensitive personal data. The bill now goes to Governor Newsom for his signature.
“Consumers’ sensitive information is routinely sold to third parties that have no right to it,” said Justin Brookman, director of technology policy at Consumer Reports. “This can lead to serious harms, including stalking, identity theft, and price discrimination. While businesses often need personal data to deliver requested products and services, they should not be selling it behind our backs. This bill ends that practice by providing default protections for Californians’ privacy and safety. We urge Governor Newsom to sign it into law.”
If signed into law, California would join Connecticut, Maryland, Oregon, and Virginia in banning the sale of certain sensitive information. Massachusetts and Vermont also considered similar bans during the 2026 legislative session.
Earlier this year, Consumer Reports released model legislation, the State Location Privacy Act, that would similarly ban the sale of consumers’ precise geolocation information.
CR has long been an advocate for the data rights of consumers. The nonprofit, independent organization has worked to strengthen the California Consumer Privacy Act and was a strong supporter of the state’s Delete Act.
Contact: cyrus.rassool@consumer.org