Precise geolocation information.

Assembly Member Ward's proposal to enhance California's privacy protections would establish new requirements for businesses collecting precise geolocation data, mandating prominent notices to consumers and strict limitations on data retention and sharing. The legislation requires businesses to display detailed notices when collecting location data, including the purpose of collection, type of data gathered, and any third parties who may receive the information.

The bill places specific constraints on how businesses handle geolocation information. Companies would be prohibited from retaining such data longer than necessary to provide requested services or beyond one year after a consumer's last interaction, whichever comes first. The legislation also bars businesses from selling, trading, or leasing precise location data to third parties. Disclosure to government agencies would require a valid California court order or compliance with federal law.

Under the measure's security provisions, businesses may collect additional location data to address fraud, harassment, or illegal activities, though this information must be deleted within 30 days. The bill builds upon existing state privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 and the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, which already classify precise geolocation information as sensitive personal information requiring special protections.