California Businesses Face 3,000 CIPA Lawsuits as Lawmakers Weigh SB 690 Website-Tracking Limits
Updated
Updated · Capital Public Radio News · Jun 16
California Businesses Face 3,000 CIPA Lawsuits as Lawmakers Weigh SB 690 Website-Tracking Limits
1 articles · Updated · Capital Public Radio News · Jun 16
Summary
Small California businesses say CIPA suits over routine website analytics are hitting them with steep exposure, including claims for $5,000 per site visit and legal retainers of about $30,000.
The cases target tools from providers such as Google, Meta and booking platforms, with defense lawyers saying plaintiffs have sent thousands of near-automated demand letters since the litigation wave accelerated in 2022.
A business-backed coalition is pressing lawmakers to pass SB 690, which would exempt tracking done for a commercial business purpose; one law firm says it has represented more than 500 CIPA defendants.
Privacy advocates oppose a broad carveout, arguing CIPA remains one of the few ways consumers can sue over serious online tracking abuses and proposing instead to shield smaller firms while preserving claims against giants like Meta, Google and Oracle.