10 Best Practices for Becoming CCPA-Compliant

Updated August 11th, 2023
CCPA best practices

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California, a hub of tech giants and startups, acknowledged this shift by introducing the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). As businesses grapple with new compliance requirements, understanding and implementing best practices becomes crucial.

The CCPA’s introduction was a direct response to a combination of technological advancements, changing business models, and a palpable public demand for greater data privacy rights. The law reflects a broader global movement towards giving individuals more control over their personal data in a digital age.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the best practices to ensure CCPA compliance, helping businesses navigate through data privacy in the modern world.

Let us dive in!

Table of contents

  1. What’s the first thing you should do to get started with CCPA?
  2. 10 Best practices to become CCPA compliant
  3. What are the CCPA guidelines?
  4. Conclusion
  5. Related reads

What’s the first thing you should do to get started with CCPA?

The very first step in approaching CCPA compliance is to understand whether the CCPA applies to your business and, if it does, to assess and deeply understand the types of personal information your company collects, processes, and shares. This initial step is commonly referred to as conducting a data inventory or data mapping exercise.

Let’s examine the steps involved in becoming CCPA compliant:

  1. Determine if CCPA applies to you
  2. Identify what personal information you collect
  3. Understand data sources
  4. Recognize the purpose of data collection
  5. Know where and how data is stored
  6. Determine with whom data is shared or sold
  7. Evaluate current data security measures

Let us understand each of the steps in detail:

1. Determine if CCPA applies to you


Business criteria: Before diving into compliance processes, determine if your business falls under the CCPA’s purview.

The CCPA applies if your company:

  • Operates for profit.
  • Does business in California.
  • And meets at least one of the following: has annual gross revenues exceeding $25 million; buys, receives, sells, or shares the personal information of 50,000 or more consumers, households, or devices; earns 50% or more of its annual revenues from selling consumers’ personal information.

2. Identify what personal information you collect


Data categories: The CCPA has a broad definition of personal information, so you should identify all the categories of data you collect.

This can range from direct identifiers like:

  • Names and email addresses to browsing history
  • Geolocation data
  • Even inferences are drawn to create a profile about a consumer.

3. Understand data sources


Origins: Determine where this data comes from. Are consumers directly providing it, or are you sourcing it from third-party vendors? Maybe it’s collected automatically from website cookies or IoT devices.

4. Recognize the purpose of data collection


Why and how: Understand and document why you’re collecting each type of data and how you intend to use it. This helps in ensuring that data isn’t being used in ways that haven’t been disclosed to the consumer.

5. Know where and how data is stored


Storage solutions: Whether it’s cloud storage, on-premises servers, or third-party data storage providers, you should have a clear understanding of where personal information resides and how it’s secured.

6. Determine with whom data is shared or sold


Third-party interactions: Document any third-party entities you share data with, whether it’s being sold or simply shared. This includes vendors, data brokers, or partner companies.

7. Evaluate current data security measures


Protection mechanisms: Ensure you have reasonable security measures in place to protect the personal information you handle. This could range from encryption and secure access controls to regular security audits.

Conducting a comprehensive data inventory or mapping exercise is foundational to CCPA compliance.

10 Best practices to become CCPA compliant

Achieving CCPA compliance involves a combination of understanding the act’s requirements and then implementing best practices that ensure ongoing adherence.

These are the best practices for becoming CCPA-compliant:

  1. Understand the scope of the CCPA
  2. Update privacy policies
  3. Implement systems for handling consumer requests
  4. Offer clear Opt-out opportunities
  5. Review vendor agreements
  6. Protect minor’s data
  7. Strengthen data security practices
  8. Train employees
  9. Monitor regulatory updates
  10. Seek legal counsel

Let us understand each of the above best practices in detail:

1. Understand the scope of the CCPA


Before implementing any changes, companies should:

  • Conduct data audits:
    • Identify what data is being collected, how it’s used, where it’s stored, and with whom it’s shared.
    • Knowing the flow of personal information through your systems is the first step to controlling and protecting it.
  • Data mapping:
    • Start by creating a data flow map.
    • Understand where data comes from, how it moves through and outside your organization, and where it’s stored.
    • This map will serve as a reference when assessing data security and handling consumer requests.
  • Data categories:
    • Classify data based on the CCPA’s definitions, such as identifiers, characteristics of protected classifications, commercial information, etc.
    • This categorization helps determine which data subjects have rights over.

2. Update privacy policies


  • Transparency: Privacy policies should clearly explain consumers’ rights under CCPA, including the:
    • Right to know
    • Right to delete
    • Right to Opt-out.
  • Details on data practices: Outline what personal information is collected, the purposes for which it’s used, and third parties it may be disclosed or sold to.
  • Contact information: Provide at least two methods for consumers to exercise their rights, including a toll-free number.

3. Implement systems for handling consumer requests


  • Streamlined process: Develop clear protocols for handling, verifying, and responding to consumer requests, considering the 45-day response window mandated by the CCPA.
  • Verification: Implement procedures to verify the identity of the consumer making the request, especially for requests related to the disclosure or deletion of personal information.
  • Multi-step verification: For online requests, implement a two-step process. First, have users submit their request, then ask them to verify their request through a confirmation email or message.

4. Offer clear opt-out opportunities


  • Opt-Out link: For companies that sell personal data, a conspicuous link titled “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” should be placed on the homepage.
  • Training: Employees handling consumer inquiries should be trained to guide them to the opt-out process if requested.

5. Review vendor agreements


  • Data processors and third parties: Ensure that any third parties or vendors that handle personal data on your behalf are compliant with CCPA. This may involve updating contracts or service-level agreements.
  • Audit third parties: Regularly assess third parties for their compliance practices. Check for certifications or seals from recognized privacy organizations.

6. Protect minor’s data


  • Age verification and Opt-in: Before selling the personal data of consumers known to be less than 16 years old, companies must obtain explicit consent. For those under 13, parental or guardian consent is required.
  • Age detection technology: Consider using age detection tools or solutions to ensure that you are not inadvertently collecting data from minors without the proper consent.

7. Strengthen data security practices


  • Risk assessment: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities in your data storage and processing activities.
  • Implement security measures: Adopt reasonable security measures commensurate with the sensitivity of the data. This can include encryption, regular backups, multi-factor authentication, and more.
  • Breach protocols: Have a clear protocol for addressing data breaches, including notifying affected consumers and the appropriate authorities.

8. Train employees


  • Ongoing training: Ensure that employees are aware of the CCPA’s requirements, the company’s data handling practices, and how to assist consumers in exercising their rights.
  • Scenario-based training: Engage employees with real-world scenarios during training to ensure they understand the implications of non-compliance and know how to handle different situations.
  • Regular refreshers: Offer periodic refresher courses to ensure employees remain aware of the latest in compliance requirements and best practices.

9. Monitor regulatory updates


  • Stay informed: As interpretations of the CCPA may evolve, and amendments may be made, regularly review the regulation and guidance provided by the California Attorney General.
  • Designate a compliance officer: Assign someone in your organization (or a team) the specific responsibility of keeping abreast of regulatory changes and ensuring organizational adherence.

  • Expertise: Given the complexities and potential penalties associated with non-compliance, it’s wise to consult with legal experts specializing in data privacy laws.
  • Specialized counsel: Engage with attorneys or firms that specialize in data privacy and have a proven track record with CCPA and similar regulations.

CCPA compliance is an ongoing endeavor. Beyond the initial implementation, companies need to periodically review and adjust their practices to remain compliant, especially as they introduce new data-related activities or as the regulation evolves.

What are the CCPA guidelines?

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) sets forth a number of guidelines that businesses must follow to ensure the privacy and protection of California consumers’ personal data. Here are the core guidelines of the CCPA, explained elaborately:

1. Consumer rights


The CCPA establishes specific rights for consumers:

  • Right to know: Consumers have the right to request details about the personal information a business collects about them and how this information is used and shared.
    • This includes the categories and specific pieces of personal information collected.
    • Information about the categories of sources from which the personal data is acquired.
    • Business and commercial purposes for which the data is used.
    • Categories of third parties with which the business shares personal information.
  • Right to delete: Consumers can request businesses to delete the personal information they have collected. However, there are certain exceptions where businesses may retain data, such as when the data is necessary for the business to fulfill a contract or comply with a legal obligation.
  • Right to Opt-out: If a business sells personal information to third parties, consumers have the right to opt out of the sale.
    • Businesses must provide a clear and conspicuous link on their homepage titled “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” to allow consumers to opt out easily.
  • Right to non-discrimination: Businesses cannot discriminate against consumers for exercising their rights under the CCPA. This means businesses can’t charge different prices, provide a different quality of goods or services, or deny goods and services to these consumers.
  • Right to Opt-in for minors: For consumers under 16 years old, businesses must obtain opt-in consent before selling their personal information. For consumers under 13, parental or guardian consent is required.

2. Business obligations


  • Transparency: Businesses are required to inform consumers at or before the point of collection about the categories of personal information they collect and the purposes for which they will use this data.
  • Responding to requests: Upon receiving a request to know or a request to delete, businesses have 45 days to respond. If necessary, this can be extended by another 45 days with notice to the consumer.
    • Businesses must provide two or more methods for consumers to submit requests, typically a toll-free phone number and a website address.
  • Service providers and Third-party relations: Businesses must have contractual agreements in place with service providers and third parties that dictate the purposes for which the data is used and how the CCPA’s protections, obligations, and rights are to be preserved.

3. Data security


While the CCPA doesn’t set out specific security measures, it implies the need for “reasonable” security practices and procedures.

  • Data breaches: If a business fails to implement reasonable security procedures and practices, and a breach occurs, affected consumers may have the right to statutory damages. Therefore, businesses are incentivized to maintain robust data security measures.

4. Privacy policy updates


Businesses are required to update their privacy policies at least once every 12 months. These updates must include:

  • A description of consumers’ rights under the CCPA.
  • A list of categories of personal information the business has collected, sold, or disclosed for a business purpose in the past 12 months.
  • Explicit methods for submitting CCPA requests.

5. Training and record-keeping


Businesses are required to train personnel responsible for handling consumer inquiries about the company’s CCPA compliance. They also need to maintain records of consumer requests and how they responded for 24 months to demonstrate compliance.

The CCPA represents one of the most stringent data protection regulations in the U.S. While the CCPA is a state-specific regulation, given the global nature of the internet and commerce, its influence extends well beyond California’s borders.

Conclusion

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) serves as a testament to the growing global commitment to data privacy. By adhering to the best practices highlighted in this guide, businesses can not only ensure compliance with the CCPA but also foster trust with their customers.

As data-driven strategies become the norm, companies that champion privacy will stand out, ensuring not only regulatory compliance but also a competitive edge in the market. Remember, in the evolving landscape of data privacy, being proactive is better than reactive. Equip, educate, and evolve; let CCPA compliance be a stepping stone to a future where privacy is a given, not a luxury

Achieving and maintaining CCPA compliance is multifaceted. With detailed planning, continuous training, and regular audits, businesses can navigate the evolving landscape of data privacy more effectively. Always keep the consumer’s rights and interests at the forefront of all data practices.

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