Bill > SB690

This bill amends several sections of the California Penal Code to create exemptions for communication interception and privacy invasion when done for a "commercial business purpose". Specifically, the bill defines a commercial business purpose as processing personal information either to further a business objective or subject to consumer opt-out rights. The bill modifies existing laws that prohibit tapping communication wires, intercepting telephone communications, and recording confidential communications without consent by adding an exemption for commercial business purposes. It also updates definitions for technical terms like "pen register" and "trap and trace device" to explicitly exclude devices used for commercial business purposes. Additionally, the bill specifies that the existing legal provisions allowing individuals to sue for damages do not apply when personal information is processed for a commercial business purpose. Importantly, these changes will be retroactive and apply to any cases pending as of January 1, 2026. The bill effectively provides businesses with more legal latitude to intercept and process communication information when done for specified commercial objectives, while maintaining protections against unauthorized personal privacy invasions.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB690