AB-566
Consumer Protection

California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: opt-out preference signal.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires web browsers to include easy-to-find settings for opting out of personal data sharing.
  • Mandates browser companies to clearly explain how their opt-out settings work and what data they protect.
  • Authorizes the California Privacy Protection Agency to create and enforce implementation rules.

Summary

Assembly Member Lowenthal's California Opt Me Out Act mandates web browsers to include built-in privacy controls, requiring businesses that develop or maintain browsers to incorporate settings that allow consumers to opt out of personal information sharing. The legislation adds new requirements to the California Consumer Privacy Act framework by specifically targeting browser technology.

The bill establishes specific technical obligations for browser developers, requiring them to implement opt-out preference signals that must be easily locatable and configurable by users. Businesses must clearly disclose how these opt-out mechanisms function and detail which categories of personal information are affected when consumers activate these privacy controls. The requirements apply to both traditional web browsers and the underlying browser engines that render web content, including widely-used systems like Blink, Gecko, and WebKit.

The California Privacy Protection Agency maintains authority to develop and enforce regulations implementing these new requirements. The legislation builds upon existing state privacy laws, with the Legislature explicitly noting its connection to the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020. While the bill creates new technical compliance obligations for browser developers, it requires no additional state appropriations for implementation.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Rules
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Rules
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 566 Lowenthal Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike McGuireD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 6 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Mike McGuireD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-3048
California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: opt-out preference signal.
February 2024
Vetoed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Josh Lowenthal
Josh LowenthalD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/5/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 5, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5312579PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires web browsers to include easy-to-find settings for opting out of personal data sharing.
  • Mandates browser companies to clearly explain how their opt-out settings work and what data they protect.
  • Authorizes the California Privacy Protection Agency to create and enforce implementation rules.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Josh Lowenthal
Josh LowenthalD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Lowenthal's California Opt Me Out Act mandates web browsers to include built-in privacy controls, requiring businesses that develop or maintain browsers to incorporate settings that allow consumers to opt out of personal information sharing. The legislation adds new requirements to the California Consumer Privacy Act framework by specifically targeting browser technology.

The bill establishes specific technical obligations for browser developers, requiring them to implement opt-out preference signals that must be easily locatable and configurable by users. Businesses must clearly disclose how these opt-out mechanisms function and detail which categories of personal information are affected when consumers activate these privacy controls. The requirements apply to both traditional web browsers and the underlying browser engines that render web content, including widely-used systems like Blink, Gecko, and WebKit.

The California Privacy Protection Agency maintains authority to develop and enforce regulations implementing these new requirements. The legislation builds upon existing state privacy laws, with the Legislature explicitly noting its connection to the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020. While the bill creates new technical compliance obligations for browser developers, it requires no additional state appropriations for implementation.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/5/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Rules
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Rules
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 566 Lowenthal Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 5, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5312579PASS

Contacts

Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike McGuireD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 6 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Mike McGuireD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-3048
California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: opt-out preference signal.
February 2024
Vetoed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1