protecting Your Digital Rights in California: A 2025 Legislative Update from the EFF
California remains a crucial battleground for digital rights, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has been actively engaged in shaping legislation too protect your privacy and freedom online. This update details our work during the 2025 legislative session,highlighting both successes and ongoing challenges. We’ll cover issues ranging from age verification to government data sharing, and what these developments mean for you.
Safeguarding Young People’s Online Access
A growing trend of requiring age verification to access online content is deeply concerning. These systems ofen rely on invasive data collection practices,jeopardizing your privacy.Earlier this year, EFF voiced strong objections to this approach in a letter to California lawmakers.
We believe there’s a better way to support young people online without sacrificing their basic rights. We’re actively seeking collaboration with legislators to develop solutions that prioritize both safety and freedom of expression.
Championing Data Privacy: Key Legislative Wins
This year, several bills supported by EFF aimed to strengthen safeguards around government data sharing. Here’s a breakdown of key successes:
* A.B. 82 (Asm. Chris Ward): Adds privacy protections to data collected regarding gender-affirming and reproductive health care.
* S.B. 497 (Wiener): Further reinforces privacy for individuals seeking these vital healthcare services.
* A.B. 1303 (Asm. Avelino Valencia): Prohibits warrantless data sharing from California’s low-income broadband program to immigration officials and other government agencies. This protects vulnerable communities.
* S.B.635 (Sen. Maria Elena Durazo): Extends similar data sharing limitations to information collected from sidewalk vendors.
These bills represent significant steps toward ensuring your sensitive personal information remains protected from unwarranted government access.
Reversing Course on Overbroad Data Sharing
Last session, we opposed A.B. 518 (Asm. Buffy Wicks),which would have allowed state agencies to bypass existing privacy laws to share information about calfresh recipients. We recognized the potential for misuse, as evidenced by the federal government’s subsequent attempts to leverage food assistance data for other purposes.
Fortunately, this year, A.B. 593 (also authored by Asm. Wicks) reversed course,restoring crucial privacy protections. This demonstrates the power of advocacy and the importance of holding lawmakers accountable.
Expanding Privacy protections to Local Governments
EFF sponsored A.B. 1337 this year to extend vital privacy safeguards currently in place at the state level to counties and cities.Local entities now collect vast amounts of data, frequently enough through programs not envisioned when the original privacy law was enacted in 1977.
Your data deserves strong protection, irrespective of which level of government holds it.We worked closely with Assemblymember Chris Ward, chair of the LGBTQ Caucus, on this crucial legislation.
while A.B. 1337 stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee, we remain committed to bringing it back in the next legislative session with renewed urgency.
Looking Ahead: Continued Vigilance is Key
Protecting your digital rights requires constant vigilance. EFF will continue to monitor government activity,advocate for strong privacy laws,and work with lawmakers to find solutions that balance safety,freedom,and innovation.
We encourage you to stay informed and engaged. Visit our website at eff.org to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.
Resources:
* EFF Concerns Letter to California Legislature
* EFF DeepLink: California Lawmakers, There’s a Better Way to Help Young People Online
* [A.B. 82](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB82
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