Due to COVID-19, some 65 trade associations and other groups are calling on the Attorney General for an extension in implementing California's new data privacy law.
Businesses are required to implement the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) by July 1, but many CEOs are still in shock adjusting to the new normal of the coronavirus crisis, according to the Association of National Advertisers (ANA).
"The virus has completely disrupted every company," said Dan Jaffe, executive vice president of government relations for the ANA. "Everyone is struggling enormously to deal with these new issues. Some companies are sheltering in place and others have workers who are already sick."
The ANA says it sent two letters to Attorney General Xavier Becerra requesting an extension of the deadline until January 2021 but have yet to receive a response. UPS, the Toy Association, the Coalition of Small and Veteran Businesses and the California Retailers Association are among the organizations requesting temporary forbearance from CCPA Enforcement.
"We are not asking to get out from under regulation," Jaffe told the Northern California Record. "We are asking for a short delay of 6 months for enforcement."
However, when contacted by the Northern California Record, the Attorney General's office said that CCPA is not new. It has been in effect since Jan. 1.
"We're committed to enforcing the law starting July 1," an AG spokesperson told the Northern California Record. "We encourage businesses to be particularly mindful of data security in this time of emergency."
CCPA created new consumer rights relating to the access to, deletion of and sharing of personal information that is collected by businesses, according to a statement posted on the AG website.
"If businesses are not compliant, the AG can bring cases and penalties against them but it’s unjust and inappropriate to bring cases and penalties against those who are impacted by the virus," Jaffe said.