The office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta is investigating the privacy practices of streaming services. The probe alleges that certain mainstream apps and devices are breaching the stipulations set out by the California Consumer Privacy Act.
As families increasingly turn towards streaming platforms for entertainment, from live sports to blockbuster movies, the need to ensure their personal information remains protected is paramount.
This investigation primarily focuses on the Act’s mandate that lets consumers opt out of their data being sold. This includes apps that do not provide an easily navigable mechanism for opting out. However, the Attorney General’s office did not disclose the names of the companies that had received their letters.
Additionally, the Attorney General emphasizes that consumers utilizing a Smart TV should have the ability to access the settings menu effortlessly to choose opt out. Expectedly, this opting out option should be recognized across various devices as consumers log into their accounts.
The enforcement action is a part of an ongoing drive as the California Privacy Protection Agency – another state entity with authority to execute state privacy law – continues to build its enforcement team. Perhaps noteworthy is that amended regulations to current privacy rules which were adopted by the agency last year, are currently embroiled in a legal dispute and have not yet come into effect.
The Attorney General’s office is known for their annual swoops during Data Privacy Week, and last year had targeted popular mobile apps for noncompliance with data privacy laws. The recent move signals a deviation from their practiced tradition of providing a 30-day cure period to alleged infringers to rectify their violations. Currently, the Attorney General’s office is allowed to extend cure periods on a per-case basis.