Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo Introduces AB 2021 to Protect Whistleblowers and End Illegal Data Harvesting of California Families

• Furkan Yalcin
• [email protected]

Schiavo Joined by California Privacy Protection Agency and Consumer Reports

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo announced the introduction of the Whistleblower Protection and Privacy Act (AB 2021). The landmark legislation, introduced in partnership with the California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy), establishes a robust protection and incentive framework for individuals who expose companies illegally collecting, selling, or failing to delete the private data of Californians-especially children.

The Whistleblower Protection and Privacy Act (AB 2021) would create new protections and support for whistleblowers who report illegal or improper use of Californians' personal and sensitive data to CalPrivacy for information like ed tech tracking a child's academic struggles, sensitive personal information like medical diagnoses, and private precise locations. When that information is misused, shared without consent, or sold illegally, it can expose people to identity theft, scams, increased prices, and physical harm. AB 2021 ensures that brave souls on the inside of these corporations can come forward to stop these violations without fear of professional retaliation.

"As a mother, I live with a constant, nagging concern that I know many of you share: What exactly is being collected about our children? Our most sensitive information-where we take our kids to school, our most private health journeys, our very identities-is not just 'data.' In the wrong hands, it's a weapon." said Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo. "If a business is illegally profiting off of you or your child's data, or if they are keeping and selling information you explicitly told them to delete, we need to protect the people of integrity who come forward to protect us.The Whistleblower Protection and Privacy Act will help reveal violations that might otherwise go undetected and give the CalPrivacy the information they need to enforce California's privacy laws and protect our children and our communities."

CalPrivacy Executive Director, Tom Kemp, added, "Privacy enforcement often depends on exposing what is happening behind closed corporate doors. That is why whistleblowers are indispensable. AB 2021 gives those individuals the protections and incentives they need to come forward. Their game-changing disclosures will strengthen California's privacy enforcement and better protect the public."

Matt Schwartz, Senior Policy Analyst at Consumer Reports said, "Consumer Reports applauds CalPrivacy and Assemblymember Schiavo for introducing The Whistleblower Protection and Privacy Act. This legislation strengthens privacy protections for Californians by creating a whistleblower program that will help uncover violations of the CCPA. Whistleblowers play a critical role in revealing misconduct that might otherwise go undetected, giving regulators an additional tool to hold companies accountable and keep consumer personal information safe. This bill provides critical financial incentives and legal protections to potential whistleblowers, ensuring they are empowered to safely report wrongdoing and shielded from retaliation by their employer."

The Whistleblower Protection and Privacy Act aims to bolster enforcement of California's landmark consumer privacy protections by empowering insiders to safely report corporate misconduct involving the misuse or unlawful sale of sensitive consumer data. The bill creates legal safeguards and first in the nation financial support for whistleblowers who come forward with credible information, ensuring they are protected from retaliation.

You can watch today's press conference here.

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Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 and re-elected in 2024 to represent the 40th Assembly District, representing the Northwest San Fernando Valley, Val Verde, Castaic and the Santa Clarita Valley. Upon her election, she was appointed as Assistant Majority Whip by the Speaker of the Assembly and now serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. During her first term she brought back a record $93 million district investment in school and community safety, seniors meal programs, veteran housing, domestic violence services and creating local jobs. Prior to her election, Assemblywoman Schiavo was a Nurse Advocate and Small Business Owner who worked in the labor movement for more than 20 years. Throughout her career, Assemblywoman Schiavo helped deliver healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, to more than one million people. In the Northwest San Fernando Valley, she co-founded an organization that helped secure housing for Veterans experiencing homelessness, has delivered more than 50,000 meals to people in need, and increased resources to help keep our communities safe. Assemblywoman Schiavo lives in Chatsworth with her creative kid where they love to hike in the Santa Susana Mountains.