Privacy Awareness Week Begins May 13

Friday, May 10, 2019

SACRAMENTO – In recognition of the increasing role of technology in consumers’ lives, the amount of personal information shared by businesses and the damage caused by unwanted disclosure and data breaches, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, has authored a resolution designating the third week in May as Privacy Awareness Week.

“Everyone should to stay informed about how to protect their privacy,” Sen. Dodd said. “With the enormous amount of our personal data in the hands of giant corporations, it is more important than ever to know your exposure and your rights to safeguard your information. Fortunately, California has been a leader in adopting consumer protections without stifling innovation.”

The Privacy Awareness Week designation is a response to the growing threat of data breaches and the misuse of data. Between 2012 and 2016, the California Attorney General received 657 reports of data breaches affecting more than 49 million records of Californians. Nationwide, more than 11 billion records have been breached since 2005.

“Californians continually express their desire to have control over their data,” said Alastair Mactaggart, chair of Californians for Consumer Privacy. “And by establishing the third week of May as Privacy Awareness Week, it will continue to raise the important issue of consumer data privacy. Just this year alone, we have heard stories of significant data breaches, violations of consumer privacy and data management and use practices that undermine the public trust.”

California was the first state to require consumer notification of data breaches.

Last year, Sen. Dodd was a co-author of the landmark California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018.  It says consumers have a right to know what information is being collected about them and whether it is sold or disclosed and to whom. Also, it says consumers can say no to that sale and have access to their personal data.

Privacy Awareness Week will be recognized in the third week of May 2019 and every year thereafter. It has support from numerous groups including Californians for Consumer Privacy, CALPIRG, Consumer Attorneys of California and Consumer Federation of California.

“Despite increasing risk of data breaches and unwanted data sharing, consumers have privacy rights and they need to be aware of them,” said Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California. “I commend the senator for bringing attention to this important issue.”

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. More information on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.