With the Eric Snowden controversy shining a bright light on government intrusions on individual privacy, attention is beginning to shift, much to the dismay of some of the nation's most powerful companies, to the broader issue of consumer privacy. Companies around the world have invested millions into the research, collection and analysis of consumer data, often gleaned from consumer activity online and on social media sites.
Which raises the question: how strong are consumer protections in the state of California, historically a legislative trendsetter in privacy and identity protection? In particular, in the area of consumer privacy, what sorts of personal information may commercial vendors gather, use and exchange? And if they cross the line, what sort of liability, if any, do they face for violating a consumer's right to privacy?
