CPRA vs. CCPA: Analyzing the Differences and Advancements

Welcome to the world of data and other consumer protections and privacy laws in California, where we'll embark on an insightful journey to compare two powerful pieces of legislation: the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). In this article, we’ll explore how these laws empower consumers and revolutionize data and personal property protection in the Golden State. Both acts aim to protect your customers and give them more control over consumer personal information collected and how their data is handled. Let's explore these laws' key provisions, advancements, and impacts on businesses and consumers alike.

Understanding the CCPA

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) was enacted in 2018 and became effective in 2020. Its primary objective was to enhance privacy rights and consumer protection for California residents. The law was a response to growing concerns about data breaches and the widespread collection and sharing of consumers' personal information without their knowledge or consent, taking inspiration from the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The CCPA introduced several crucial provisions to safeguard consumers' personal data. It grants consumers the right to know what personal information businesses collect about them, the right to request deletion of their data, and the right to opt out of the sale of their data. The law also requires businesses to disclose their data collection and sharing practices and to provide accessible avenues for consumers to exercise their rights.

The CCPA had a significant impact on both businesses and consumers. Businesses had to adapt their data management practices to comply with the new requirements, such as updating their privacy policies and implementing processes for handling consumer requests. On the other hand, consumers gained more control over their personal data and the option to opt out of having their data sold to third parties. However, compliance challenges arose for businesses, especially smaller ones, without extensive resources to meet the law's strict demands.

Introducing the CPRA

The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) was introduced to build upon the foundation laid by the CCPA and further enhance data privacy rights for Californian consumers. Approved by voters in 2020 and effective in Jan. 2023, the CPRA aims to address some of the limitations of the CCPA and strengthen consumer data privacy protections.

This legislation introduces several important updates to the existing data privacy framework. It expands the categories of protected personal information and protected data, including sensitive personal information such as health and financial data. Additionally, the CPRA introduces the concept of "sharing" of a consumer's preferences information and data, in addition to "selling," and allows consumers to opt out of both.

The CPRA builds upon the principles of consumer protection established by the CCPA and takes them further. For instance, the CPRA extends the CCPA's restrictions on the use of personal data for advertising and marketing purposes to cover consumer personal information as well as local government records. Moreover, the CPRA introduces new rights for consumers, such as the right to correct inaccurate consumer data and the right to limit the use of sensitive consumer data themselves.

Key Differences Between CPRA and CCPA

Under the updated CPRA, consumers gain more control and transparency over their personal data. They have the right to access information about automated decision-making processes that significantly affect them. The CPRA introduces new consumer privacy protections for data categories like precise geolocation data, racial and ethnic origin, and health information, providing additional protection for consumers' sensitive personal information collected.

The CPRA also imposes stricter obligations on businesses regarding data and particular consumer protection. It requires businesses to implement reasonable security measures to protect consumers' personally identifiable information and mandates the use of data protection assessments for higher-risk data processing activities. Businesses are now required to disclose the length of time they intend to retain collected personal data on the average consumer's social security amount.

Additionally, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) was established by the CPRA as an independent regulatory body responsible for enforcing and implementing the various privacy law here. The CPPA has rule-making authority and will conduct investigations into potential violations of federal laws, further strengthening data and privacy law enforcement in California.

The Role of the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA)

The CPPA plays a pivotal role in enforcing the CPRA. It is tasked with providing guidance to businesses and consumers, ensuring compliance, and investigating potential violations of data privacy laws. This agency has enforcement powers, including the authority to issue fines and penalties for non-compliance with the CPRA. The establishment of the CPPA signals a more robust and comprehensive approach to data privacy law enforcement in California. Businesses must be aware of the CPPA's regulatory role and take necessary measures to align their practices with the law and be prepared to comply with the CPRA and cooperate with the CPPA's investigations to avoid potential penalties.

Increased Accountability for Businesses

The CPRA imposes stricter obligations on businesses and service providers when handling consumers' personal data. Businesses are required to enter into contracts with service providers to aggregate consumer information and ensure that services purchased from these providers also comply with CPRA requirements.

To ensure compliance with federal law, the CPRA mandates businesses to conduct regular risk assessments and privacy audits. These assessments help identify and mitigate potential privacy risks, ensuring businesses are proactive in safeguarding consumers' personal data. Covered businesses have also been required to provide data privacy training since the passing of the CCPA for employees who are tasked with using correct data, ensuring legal compliance and handling consumer inquiries related to privacy concerns.

The CPRA introduces guidelines for data retention and minimization. Businesses must not retain consumers' personal data for longer than necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, promoting responsible data management practices.

Compliance Challenges and Considerations

The transition from CCPA to CPRA poses various challenges for businesses of all sizes. They must invest in updating their privacy policies, revamping data management practices, and implementing new procedures to ensure compliance with the CPRA's stringent requirements.

Privacy professionals and compliance teams play a crucial role in ensuring that businesses meet the CPRA's requirements. They need to be well-versed in the intricacies of the CPRA and help organizations adapt their practices to comply with the new regulations.

To successfully navigate the changes brought about by the CPRA, businesses need to develop a comprehensive strategy. This strategy should include conducting data assessments, updating privacy policies, educating employees with data privacy training, and collaborating with the CPPA, as needed, to ensure a smooth transition and continued compliance.

CPRA Compliance Training with EasyLlama

The CPRA represents a significant step forward in strengthening data privacy protection for California residents and serves as an excellent model for legislation in other states and federal law around the globe. By understanding the differences between the CCPA and CPRA and providing applicable CPRA and Data Privacy training, businesses can better prepare to comply with the new regulations and uphold consumers' rights in an increasingly data-driven world. EasyLlama’s suite of Cybersecurity & Data Privacy courses uses interactive modules and Hollywood-produced videos to engage your employees and improve knowledge retention for better success in compliance. Access your free course preview today to learn more about our modern, never-boring workplace training!