On August 28, both the California Assembly and California Senate overwhelmingly passed SB 690, a bill that would amend the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) to provide relief for news publishers targeted by unreasonable lawsuits based on the current text of the law.
While the amended measure was modified from its initial scope, SB-690 will provide much needed relief to small businesses and news publishers facing lawsuits and arbitration demands for the use of expected and widely-used online tools.
News/Media Alliance member engagement was a key factor in the passage of SB 690, with Los Angeles Times’s President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Argentieri and General Counsel, Jeff Glasser, both providing lead testimony on the disproportionate impact of these suits on publishers.
The bill will now be presented to California Governor Gavin Newsom for signature, and the Alliance strongly urges the Governor’s signature on this measure.
The Alliance would like to thank Senator Anna Caballero, the sponsor of SB-690, and members of the California legislature for their support for a common-sense measure that helps protect high-quality journalism in the state.
The Alliance Privacy Group has advocated on or monitored hundreds of state consumer data and online safety bills this session. To get involved, email membership@newsmediaalliance.org to join the working group.
