California AB 1542 prohibits businesses from selling or sharing sensitive personal information
August 30, 2026
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Where This Stands
Currently Unknown. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Introduced.
Version history & redline
2 versions on fileOfficial version history is partial: 2 linked texts are unavailable or incomplete. Source links remain available below.
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The Frame
This change restricts how companies can monetize sensitive data, directly impacting the data-sharing practices of businesses operating in California and the privacy rights of all California consumers.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
California consumers
Consumers gain increased control over their sensitive personal information by restricting the ability of businesses to sell or share it.
Businesses, service providers, and contractors
These entities are prohibited from selling or sharing sensitive personal information to third parties, except for specified exceptions.
Last recorded activity August 30, 2026.
Introduced.
Summary
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Why It Matters
This change restricts how companies can monetize sensitive data, directly impacting the data-sharing practices of businesses operating in California and the privacy rights of all California consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this bill stop companies from collecting my sensitive information?
Who does this new rule apply to?
News Coverage
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift from Opt-Out to Prohibition
The bill represents a tightening of the California privacy framework by moving from a consumer-directed 'limit use' model to a general prohibition on the sale or sharing of sensitive data.
Connected Entities
Sources
openstates.org
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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