Arizona Wants to Be Like California for This One Reason

Unless someone is reading this article to you, I'm assuming you're viewing this article on the internet. Like most of us, we gave up the idea of privacy on the web years ago. With each alleged data breach, the idea of privacy continues to evaporate.

It's not often I say this, but over the last few years, I've been a little jealous that I don't live in California. For this one reason, at least.

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One Thing California Does Better Than Arizona

Have you noticed that a text box appears when you enter your information into certain websites?

It reads, "California Only: Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information".

Does that mean the website can sell my information because I live in Arizona? I've often wondered, "What makes California so special?"

Arizona's Proposed Consumer Data Privacy Bill

Do you remember the Cambridge Analytica data scandal? A lot's happened since then, so if the details are a little foggy, here are the details.

The Cambridge Analytica data scandal was an enormous data breach that came to light in 2018. That was when 87 million Facebook users discovered that the information they'd shared with Facebook had been harvested and sold through a third-party app linked through the social media platform.

Not long afterward, California passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which regulates how businesses collect, use, and share consumer data collected about California consumers.

Californians are STILL Moving to Arizona in Record Numbers

Is Arizona Catching Up with California?

Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah have all followed California's lead by enacting similar consumer data privacy bills. Arizona is working to protect consumer data privacy with Arizona SB 1614.  

If this bill passes, here's a brief summary of how your rights as a consumer will be protected in Arizona.

Arizona SB 1614: Consumer Rights Over Personal Data

Consumers will have the right to:

• Know what personal information is being collected about them.
• Know whether their personal information is being sold or disclosed to someone, and who would receive it.
• Opt out of the sale of their personal information.
• Request that their personal data be deleted.
• Choose this option without consequences. Even if the consumer chooses this avenue, they can't be punished by the business or entity. They would be entitled to receive equal service and pricing.

Another New California Law Will Have More Moving to Arizona

Arizona SB 1614: Responsibilities of Business to Protect Consumer Data

Companies that collect personal data will be required to:

• Provide consumers with a way to request information.
• Respond to consumer information requests within 45 days.
• Display a "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link on their website. (Yay!! We get to check this box!)
• Train their employees and personnel in handling consumer privacy requests.

Arizona SB 1614: Restrictions on Selling Personal Data

Businesses cannot sell personal data if:

• They know the consumer is under 16 years old (unless authorized).
• A consumer has opted out of data sales.
• The sale involves information collected while a consumer was outside of Arizona.

Arizona SB 1614: Legal Enforcement and Penalties

The bill would allow:

• Consumers to sue a company or organization if someone else gains unauthorized access to their personal data and/or misuses it.
• Civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation will be enforced by the Arizona Attorney General.
• Businesses to make amends for the violations within 30 days if they want to avoid lawsuits.

As we rely more on the internet and digital information, Arizona is taking a step in the right direction toward protecting consumers.

Sources: Wikipedia | AccountableHQ.com | BloombergLaw.com | Rob Bonta AG | State Regs Today