Majority of Calif. Senate Supports Requiring Universal Opt-Out Signals in Browsers
A California bill to require web browser support for universal opt-out preference signals appeared to have enough votes to pass the Senate at our deadline Wednesday.
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The Senate voted 25-5 on AB-566, more than the 21 votes needed to pass, but the Senate left the bill on call for absent members to add votes later.
Recent changes to the legislation “ensure that this consumer-focused privacy bill will be focused strictly on web browsers and allow users to exercise their opt-out rights across all online businesses they engage with much more efficiently and quickly than under current law,” Sen. Henry Stern (D) said on the floor.
Friday’s Senate amendment also delayed the bill’s effective date to Jan. 1, 2027. Plus, the amended bill would give web browser companies that put universal opt-out preference signal functionality into their browsers immunity from liability in California for violations by businesses receiving the signals (see 2509080005).
The Assembly previously passed AB-566 but still must concur with Senate changes before the measure can head to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Last year, Newsom vetoed a similar bill that had also covered mobile operating systems, but this year, the measure’s scope was narrowed to browsers.