Sen. Dodd: Data Privacy Week Begins Jan. 22
SACRAMENTO – In recognition of the increasing role of technology in consumers’ lives, the volume of personal information collected by businesses, and the damage caused by unwanted disclosure and data breaches, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, has authored a resolution designating the fourth week in January in California as Data Privacy Week.
“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,” said Sen. Dodd. “Everyone should stay informed about how to protect their privacy. Fortunately, California has been a leader in adopting consumer protections without stifling innovation.”
Data Privacy Week recognizes 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.
In response, Sen. Dodd co-authored landmark legislation establishing the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, which requires businesses to inform consumers about how their personal information is collected and used, and gives consumers the option to say no to the sale of their data. Also, voters in 2020 overwhelmingly approved Proposition 24, the California Privacy Rights Act, which amended and expanded the previous legislation, providing residents with the strongest privacy protections in the United States. The measure created the California Privacy Protection Agency, the nation’s first regulator with full administrative powers focused on privacy and data protection.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 designates Jan. 22, 2023 through Jan. 28, 2023 Data Privacy Week. Also, it designates Jan. 28 as Data Privacy Day, corresponding to the international event recognized by the United States, Canada, Nigeria, Israel and 47 European countries raising awareness and promoting best practices around data privacy.
“Privacy is a fundamental right, and California provides the strongest protections of those rights in the nation,” said Jennifer Urban, chair of the California Privacy Protection Agency Board. “The California Privacy Protection Agency is proud to be charged with helping to promote public awareness of these rights. We commend Sen. Dodd for his work to promote Californians’ consumer privacy and look forward to working together to raise awareness of Californians’ unique privacy protections.”
“More than 9.3 million Californians supported Proposition 24 in 2020, strengthening their privacy rights,” said Alastair Mactaggart, chair of Californians for Consumer Privacy. “By establishing the fourth week in January as Data Privacy Week, it will continue to highlight the important issue of consumer data privacy. I applaud Sen. Dodd for his continued advocacy to strengthen and protect the data privacy rights of Californians and encourage strong support for this important resolution.”
###
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.
tion on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.