CaliforniaOperating systems and apps must keep users’ privacy settings
Operating systems and apps that handle Californians’ personal information must keep users’ chosen privacy settings unless users consent or a legal exception applies.
What it does
Operating systems and covered apps must keep users’ chosen privacy settings unless users consent to a change. Businesses may change or end services or settings if they preserve protections for previously collected information or strengthen them.
Argument forUsers could keep privacy choices they made, since apps and operating systems would need consent before undoing those settings.
Argument againstBusinesses could stop offering privacy options when they change a service, which may limit users’ choices for information collected after the change.
More detail
An operating system or application must not undo a user’s chosen privacy setting without the user’s consent. Applications covered by this rule include software and mobile or desktop apps that handle personal information about a user in California and offer settings to control its handling. The rule also applies to operating systems. The prohibition does not apply when state or federal law, a court order, or a subpoena in an individual case or proceeding requires the change. A business may stop offering a service, app, or privacy option if it follows this rule or keeps current protections for previously collected information or increases privacy protection by reducing how it handles that information. No start or end date is stated in the supplied text.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 478, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 27Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 6650.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 2561 Valencia Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2561 Valencia By Jones. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 26In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Jun 10Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 9From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 8).Minor
- Jun 8
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- May 27Referred to Com. on P., D.T., & C.P.Minor
- May 14In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 2561 Valencia Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 5039.)Passed Assembly
- Apr 27Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Apr 23Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Apr 22From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 21).Major
- Apr 21
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9Referred to Com. on P. & C.P.Minor
- Feb 21From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
- Feb 20Read first time. To print.Introduced
TechnologyAI & PrivacyConsumer Protection