The California Assembly Public Safety Committee convened on July 1, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 690, aimed at addressing a surge of lawsuits exploiting the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA). The bill seeks to protect businesses from what proponents describe as abusive legal tactics that threaten jobs and innovation.

Senator proposing the bill highlighted that a small number of trial lawyers have filed thousands of lawsuits against over 1,700 California businesses, claiming violations of CIPA for standard online practices like using website analytics and cookies. These lawsuits leverage a 1967 law that imposes a $5,000 penalty per violation, leading to potentially crippling financial liabilities for businesses, especially those with high web traffic. The senator argued that these lawsuits are not about consumer protection but rather about exploiting outdated legislation for profit.

Supporters of SB 690, including representatives from major organizations like the Los Angeles Times and privacy law firms, emphasized that the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) already provides robust consumer protections. They asserted that CIPA is being misused to target routine business activities that are compliant with the CCPA, which was designed to give consumers control over their data.

Chris Argentieri, president of the Los Angeles Times, expressed that the ongoing lawsuits threaten the survival of local news organizations, which play a critical role in informing the public during emergencies. He urged the committee to support SB 690 to prevent further erosion of California's news ecosystem.

Opposition to the bill was voiced by advocates concerned about the potential implications for consumer privacy. Juana Chavez, representing the Dolores Huerta Foundation, argued that SB 690 would enable companies to collect sensitive data without adequate oversight, putting vulnerable communities at risk. Another opponent, Lan Lehi, highlighted the dangers for survivors of domestic violence and other marginalized groups, stating that the bill could compromise their safety by allowing tracking of their online activities.

The committee is expected to deliberate further on the bill, with the senator indicating plans to refine the legislation to address privacy concerns while still curbing the misuse of CIPA. The outcome of this discussion could have significant implications for both businesses and consumer privacy rights in California.