Understanding CCPA: What Constitutes Personal Information?
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) came into effect on January 1, 2020, and it regulates how companies handle the personal data of California residents. The CCPA is considered a landmark legislation that gives consumers greater control over their personal information. However, what exactly constitutes personal information under the CCPA?
Defining Personal Information under CCPA
The CCPA provides a wide scope of what qualifies as personal information. In general terms, personal information is any information that identifies, relates to, describes, or could reasonably be associated with a particular consumer or household. This includes, but is not limited to:
– Name, address, and other contact information
– Financial information
– Employment-related information
– Education information
– Biometric data
– Internet and electronic network activity
– Geolocation data
– Audio, electronic, visual or similar information
– Inferences drawn from personal information
Examples of Personal Information under the CCPA
The following examples illustrate how different types of data may be considered personal information under the CCPA:
– A person’s name and physical address are considered personal information because they can be used to identify that individual.
– A person’s browsing history or search queries on a website are considered personal information because it relates to their internet activity.
– A person’s purchasing preferences and habits are considered personal information because it could reasonably be associated with them.
– A person’s geolocation data obtained from a mobile device is considered personal information.
Exceptions to Personal Information under CCPA
Although the list of personal information under CCPA is broad, there are some exceptions. The CCPA excludes the following information from the definition of personal information:
– Deidentified or aggregated consumer information that cannot be reasonably linked to an individual or household.
– Publicly available information that is lawfully made available from federal, state, or local government records.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CCPA provides a broad definition of personal information. It encompasses different types of data that can be used to identify or relate to a particular individual. Companies must ensure that they are complying with the CCPA by properly handling, disclosing, and securing personal information. With this knowledge, individuals can better protect their privacy and control their personal data in the modern digital era.
