California Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill that would have required web browsers and mobile operating systems to allow users to send opt-out signals to limit the use of personal information by businesses. While Newsom acknowledges the importance of consumer privacy and had previously signed bills to enhance privacy protection, he expressed concerns about mandating these requirements on operating systems.
Newsom’s decision not to sign the bill was met with criticism from consumer advocacy groups such as Consumer Watchdog and Consumer Reports. They argued that the bill was necessary to empower Californians to protect their privacy and challenge the commercial surveillance practices of tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft.
The bill, which aimed to complement existing privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act, faced opposition from industry players who lobbied against it. Google, in particular, was reported to have urged Newsom to veto the bill, highlighting the influence of tech companies on policymakers.
Despite the setback, advocates of consumer privacy have not given up. Global Privacy Control (GPC), an opt-out signal developed as an alternative to the Do Not Track (DNT) signal, continues to gain traction. GPC creators hope that it will eventually become legally binding under privacy laws like the CCPA.
While GPC is currently available on select browsers like Firefox, Brave, and DuckDuckGo, major players like Chrome, Edge, and Safari have yet to adopt it. This discrepancy underscores the ongoing debate over online privacy and the role of tech companies in shaping user preferences.
As the conversation around consumer privacy evolves, it remains to be seen how policymakers, industry stakeholders, and advocacy groups will navigate the complex landscape of data protection. In the meantime, users are encouraged to explore existing privacy tools and signals to safeguard their personal information online.
