Do Proposed CCPA Opt-Out Regulations Violate First Amendment Rights?

A number of leading associations in the advertising industry have submitted comments to the California Attorney General (“AG”) in response to the third proposed modification of the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). The comments state that the modifications

1. unreasonably restrict consumers from receiving important information about their privacy choices,
2. prescriptively describe how businesses must provide offline notices, and 
3. unfairly fail to hold authorised agents to the same consumer notice standards as businesses. 

What are the proposed modifications?

Earlier this month, the AG proposed a new set of regulations that would require businesses to offer opt-out methods that are “easy for consumers to execute” and that “require minimal steps.” Essentially, the proposed rules seek to prevent businesses from engaging in practices designed to prevent consumers from opting out of data collection or sale methods. Significantly, the rules would seek to prohibit businesses from requiring people to click through or listen to reasons why they should not opt out.

Why is the ad industry commenting?

The ad industry groups posit that the proposed modifications violate businesses’ First Amendment rights to provide truthful information to consumers. The comments state that “The proposed online and offline modifications unreasonably limit consumers’ ability to access accurate and informative disclosures about business practices as they engage in the opt out process […] Providing ample and timely opportunities for consumers to gain knowledge about their choice to opt out is of paramount importance to avoid confusion and ignorance.”
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While this is the legal basis for the argument, the position may be grounded more in economics, as the comments go to great lengths to describe the digital advertising industry’s affects on the U.S. economy, stating that the  U.S. ad-supported Internet has created 10.4 million jobs and accounts for 6% of U.S. GDP.

Does the ad industry recommend alternatives?

Rather than simply list what they do not like about the modifications, the comments include alternatives to the proposal, including:

1. That the AG to revise the text of the proposed modification in Section 999.315(h)(3) so that businesses are permitted to describe the impacts of an opt out choice while facilitating the consumer’s request to opt out;
2. To take steps to modify the proposed modifications to the CCPA regulations in order to equalize the notice requirements placed on businesses and agents, thus ensuring consumers can act on an informed basis under CCPA; and
3. To update the proposed modifications to:

• remove the proposed illustrative example associated with brick-and-mortar stores, and
• explicitly enable businesses communicating with Californians by phone to direct them to an online notice where CCPA-required disclosures are made to satisfy their offline notice obligation

Key takeaways

The digital advertising industry is massive, and has significant power and influence, while the AG has been tasked with enforcing consumer data privacy rights for California residents; the sides have competing interests and goals that will likely continue to be at odds with one another as the data privacy landscape continues to evolve.

Consumers have thus far enjoyed an Internet which provides “free” content, however the true cost has often been hidden from their view.

How can Clym help with CCPA compliance?

Clym believes in striking a balance between digital compliance and your business needs, which is why we offer businesses the following:

• All-in-one platform: One interface combining Privacy and Accessibility compliance with global regulations, at an affordable price;
• Seamless integration into your website;
• Adaptability to your users’ location and applicable regulation;
• Customizable branding;
• ReadyCompliance: Covering 30+ data privacy regulations;
• Six preconfigured accessibility profiles, as well as 25+ display adjustments that allow visitors to customise their individual experience.

You can convince yourself and see Clym in action by booking a demo or reaching out to us to discuss your specific needs today.