The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), enforced since 2020, offers consumers the right to:
-
Know what personal data is being collected.
-
Opt out of the sale of their data.
-
Delete their data.
-
Not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.
In 2023, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) expanded CCPA, adding new protections like:
-
Right to correct inaccurate data.
-
Restrictions on sensitive personal information use.
-
Mandatory audits for high-risk data processors.
CCPA/CPRA is less stringent than GDPR but still vietnam phone number list influential, especially for U.S. tech companies.
Other Frameworks Around the World
-
Brazil’s LGPD (inspired by GDPR)
-
Canada’s PIPEDA
-
India’s DPDP Act (2023)
-
China’s PIPL (Personal Information Protection Law)
-
South Korea’s PIPA
These frameworks vary in scope and enforcement but signal a growing consensus: phone data is personal data, and its collection should be regulated.
The Grey Zones and Loopholes in Practice
Despite the robust language of these laws, enforcement gaps and regulatory blind spots create opportunities for misuse.
Data Broker Loopholes
Many laws focus on first-party data boost clicks with phone-based strategies collection—what happens between users and apps. But once that data is sold or shared with third parties (often buried in terms and conditions), it enters a legal twilight zone. Data brokers buy phone numbers, location trails, and behavioral patterns in massive datasets—aggregated, anonymized, and resold without meaningful oversight.
“Legitimate Interest” Abuse
Under GDPR, companies can process data without consent if they claim a “legitimate interest.” This clause is vague and widely abused, especially in online advertising and fraud prevention.
Anonymization Illusion
Companies often claim data is “anonymized” to skirt sports news 891 regulation. But re-identification is increasingly easy, especially with location and phone data. A combination of timestamps, app usage, and movement patterns can single out individuals with high precision.
Device IDs and Fingerprinting
Even if users deny app permissions, phone-level identifiers like IMEI numbers, MAC addresses, or device fingerprints can still track behavior. Laws often lag behind in addressing these covert tracking mechanisms.