Washington, D.C. TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today commented on the enactment of AB 375, California’s new consumer privacy law, and the withdrawal of the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 from the November ballot. The following statement is attributable to TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore:

“Protecting consumers’ privacy and data security is a top concern for our industry. Without their trust, our companies cannot continue providing them with the service they rely upon to grow their businesses, help them stay connected to friends and family, and drive America’s global competitiveness. We appreciate the California legislature’s efforts to address this important, complex policy area through the legislative process. While this law adds a significant new layer of privacy protections for California consumers, even its authors have acknowledged it is far from perfect and will need revisions in the months ahead as its consequences and workability are better understood. It is critical that the business community, consumer groups, and the legislature work together over the next 18 months to improve this law so it provides meaningful privacy protections for Californians while also allowing all the benefits and opportunities consumers expect from U.S. technology to continue. Policymakers around the country looking at what California has done on this issue should understand that the California legislature’s work is far from finished and that this law remains a work in progress before it takes effect in January 2020.”