Microsoft has promised it will honor the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) throughout the United States.
In a blog post, the company says, "As digital technology becomes more and more essential in our day-to-day lives, the lack of action by the United States Congress to pass comprehensive privacy legislation continues to be a serious issue for people who are concerned about how their data is collected, used and shared. There is good news, however. In the absence of strong national legislation, California has enacted a landmark privacy law, known as the California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2020."
Microsoft says they are strong supporters of California’s new law and the expansion of privacy protections in the United States that it represents. "Our approach to privacy starts with the belief that privacy is a fundamental human right and includes our commitment to provide robust protection for every individual. This is why, in 2018, we were the first company to voluntarily extend the core data privacy rights included in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to customers around the world, not just to those in the EU who are covered by the regulation." Similarly, the blog says, Microsoft will extend the CCPA to all U.S. states.
Microsoft notes they continue to put these principles into practice every day through ongoing investments in tools that give people greater control over their personal information. "By being transparent about the data we collect and how we use it, and by providing solutions that empower businesses to safeguard personal data and comply with privacy laws, we can demonstrate our commitment in the absence of Congressional action."
In addition, Microsoft says they are working closely with enterprise customers to help them comply with CCPA. Their goal is to help customers understand how California’s new law affects their operations and provide the tools and guidance they will need to meet its requirements, notes the blog.
"We are optimistic that Congress will take the initiative to act. In the meantime, we will continue to work with states that recognize the urgency to implement stronger laws to protect everyone’s privacy. As with GDPR and CCPA, whenever and wherever strong, sensible privacy laws are enacted, we will work to quickly extend the core protections those laws offer to our customers everywhere," says Microsoft.
