California AB 1542 prohibits businesses from selling or sharing sen…

Where This Stands

Currently Unknown. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Introduced.

Last action

In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.May 6, 2026

Version history & redline

2 versions on file

Official version history is partial: 2 linked texts are unavailable or incomplete. Source links remain available below.

Comparing AB1542 → 01/05/26 - Introduced

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Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →

The Frame

What this does

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.

Who is mentioned in the record

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.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 30, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

This bill prohibits businesses, s, and s from selling or sharing a consumer's with third parties, with limited exceptions. It expands existing privacy protections established under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).

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?

No, the bill specifically prohibits the selling or sharing of that information with third parties, rather than prohibiting the collection itself.

Who does this new rule apply to?

The prohibition applies to businesses, s, and s as defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Related Legislation

State Bill

SB 435 narrows 'publicly available' data exemptions under California privacy law

SB 435 removes two specific exemptions from the definition of 'publicly available' information under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), makin

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

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.

California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 California Privacy Rights Act of 2020

Connected Entities

otherCalifornia Privacy Rights Act of 2020“Voter-approved initiative that amended the CCPA.”Map →

otherProposition 24“The ballot measure that enacted the California Privacy Rights Act.”Map →

otherCalifornia Consumer Privacy Act of 2018“Existing law governing consumer data rights.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz40
Current news / social attention level

California AB 1542 prohibits businesses from selling or sharing sensitive personal information