California Law Would Require Companies To Disclose All Consumer Data Collected

Trailrunner7 writes "California, which set the standard for data breach notifications nationwide, is again seeking to set a precedent by becoming the first state in the nation to require companies upon request disclose to California consumers the data they've collected and to whom it was shared during the past year. ... The 'Right to Know Act of 2013,' AB 1291 was amended this week to boost its chances of success after being introduced in February by state Assembly member Bonnie Lowenthal. ... It applies to companies that are both on- and off- line Privacy advocacy groups such as the EFF wrote Tuesday that the bill could set a precedent for other states, much as California's 2002 Breach Notification Act requiring California data breach victims be notified was later replicated by almost all U.S. states." That's not all: you'd be able to request a copy of all the data they've stored about you too.

Comments

Welcome to the 1980's

[ledow]

Welcome to the 1980's, guys.

Data Protection Act (1984) UK, subsequently revised several times to clarify its intent.

You can write to ANY company, entity or organisation (even a website) and DEMAND all information they are storing on you. They may charge you only a reasonable administrative cost. Even applies to CCTV of yourself (but, obviously, in that case you have to give them enough information to determine who you are on their CCTV systems and can't just expect them to trawl years of video looking for your left arm).

How can you know whether a company is distributing incorrect / damaging information about yourself without the right to demand to see that information, the right to change it where it is erroneous, and the ability to control what they are allowed to do with it.

Re:Great first step

[Hatta]

This would the reason I'd want some visibility and input into this data, the same we have (now) with credit bureau informatino.

This puts the burden on the wrong party, just like we have now with credit bureau information. The burden for accuracy should be on the data broker, and they should be liable if they sell incorrect data.