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If you are new to online privacy, you may wonder what sensitive data is under the CCPA. Many of the best websites and online shopping platforms have adopted a number of practices that could impact consumer privacy, which is where the CCPA comes in. So what is the CCPA, what is considered sensitive data, and how does this help consumers? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
For more information, read up on filing a CCPA data deletion request, what the CPRA considers sensitive personal info, what the CCPA email opt-in process is, and what the CCPA is in general.
Insider Tip
Other states, such as Virginia, have similar regulations on the books beyond California.
CCPA stands for the California Consumer Privacy Act, which is a comprehensive online privacy initiative that primarily benefits California citizens but extends to anyone who uses online services by California-based entities. This act, and the associated regulatory agency, keep an eye on Internet privacy. The act was passed in 2018 and instituted a number of rights for Internet users, such as the right to know about the personal information that is collected and the right to opt-out of the sale of that personal information.
The act also pays special attention to sensitive data as it pertains to security breaches.
The CCPA mandates that consumers receive a notification when sensitive data is acquired via a security breach. But what constitutes sensitive data? Let’s take a look.
If hackers snap up your government-issued photo ID, that is considered personal information and falls under the purview of the CCPA. Personal information may also include boilerplate stuff like name, age, address, and phone number, but this depends on the fine print of the service you use. Remember that long terms of service agreement you didn’t read? Some of these contracts force turn your personal information into a free-for-all. If that is the case, then this information would not fall under the CCPA’s mandate.
In nearly all cases, financial information falls under the purview of the CCPA, as leaking this data could cause permanent harm to the consumer. This includes bank login information, such as passwords, financial account details, debit card numbers or credit card numbers, security access codes, and various credentials that allow access to a banking account. It is considered sensitive data if it can be used for identity theft.
STAT: Businesses are required to give consumers certain notices explaining their privacy practices. The CCPA applies to many businesses, including data brokers. (source)
A consumer’s race, religious affiliation, gender, and sexuality are all off-limits here and fall under the CCPA’s mandate. In other words, it is illegal for the company not to inform you of the incident if a hacker snaps up any of this information.
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