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    California creates dedicated department to enforce privacy laws

    California creates dedicated department to enforce privacy laws

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    California's Attorney General Kamala Harris has announced the creation of the Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit.

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    Data Privacy 2 (Verge Stock)
    Data Privacy 2 (Verge Stock)

    California's Attorney General Kamala Harris has announced the creation of the Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit. The Privacy Unit will seek to protect the privacy of consumers and intends to "police the privacy practices of individuals and organizations to hold accountable those who misuse technology to invade the privacy of others." As part of the eCrime Unit that was founded in December 2011, the department will enforce laws pertaining to online privacy, identity theft, and data breaches. However, the new Privacy Unit will not be limited to strictly technology issues, and will also enforce laws regarding health and financial privacy as well as government records.

    Harris was responsible for working with Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, HP, Microsoft, and RIM to form an agreement earlier this year that requires app developers to include privacy policies in an effort to promote transparency. The Attorney General's office will meet with these companies soon to ensure their compliance with the California's Online Privacy Protection Act, and has said that the state will sue companies and developers who don't take the policy seriously.