California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the City of El Cajon for unlawfully sharing Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data with over 100 out-of-state law enforcement agencies, violating state law that restricts such data to California public agencies. The AG is seeking a court order to halt the sharing and compel compliance with state privacy protections.
The Attorney General requests the San Diego County Superior Court issue a writ of mandamus ordering the City of El Cajon, its Police Department, and Chief Jeremiah Larson to cease sharing ALPR data with out-of-state agencies and to comply with California law. Declaratory and injunctive relief are sought.
In-house legal teams should review all data sharing agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and interagency agreements involving the transfer of ALPR or similar surveillance data. Focus on clauses defining data sharing scope, geographic restrictions, compliance with state-specific ALPR laws (e.g., California's requirement that data remain within state lines), data security protocols, audit rights, and termination provisions for non-compliance. Required changes may include explicitly prohibiting out-of-state or federal transfers, mandating data localization within California, incorporating regular compliance audits, and adding indemnification or penalty clauses for violations of state privacy statutes.
Entity
City of El Cajon and El Cajon Police Department
Also known as: City of El Cajon
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-continues-legal-challenge-stop-el-cajon-illegally-sharing
Memorandum of Points & Authorities
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Memorandum%20of%20Points%20%26%20Authorities.pdf
attorney general bonta sues el cajon illegally sharing licen
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-sues-el-cajon-illegally-sharing-license-plate-data-out
attorney general bonta advises california law enforcement le
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-advises-california-law-enforcement-legal-uses-and
California Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/privacy-enforcement-actions
"against the City of El Cajon over its refusal to comply with state law by sharing data pulled from Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems"
"California law prohibits local law enforcement entities from sharing ALPR data with federal and out-of-state agencies."
"Sharing this data with out-of-state agencies is a violation of California law that requires California law enforcement agencies that collect ALPR data to only share that data with California public agencies."
"California law requires ALPR data to remain within state lines."
"Attorney General Bonta requests that the San Diego County Superior Court issue a writ of mandamus ordering the City of El Cajon, the El Cajon Police Department, and Chief Jeremiah Larson to follow California law and to cease sharing ALPR data with out-of-state public agencies. Attorney General Bonta further requests declaratory and injunctive relief."
A coalition of 12 state attorneys general, led by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, obtained a temporary restraining order from a federal court in California to halt the proposed $110 billion merger of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in film distribution, anticipated blockbuster film distribution, and licensing cable TV channels.
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy) joined a coalition of 18 Attorneys General and state agencies in opposing the proposed SECURE Data Act, a federal privacy bill that would preempt stronger state privacy laws like the CCPA. The coalition argues the bill would weaken consumer privacy protections, limit enforcement remedies, and undermine California's Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP).
$12.8M
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with multiple district attorneys and the California Privacy Protection Agency, announced a $12.75 million settlement with General Motors for illegally selling hundreds of thousands of Californians' location and driving data to data brokers Verisk and LexisNexis without notice or consent. The settlement includes the largest CCPA penalty to date, a five-year ban on selling driving data to consumer reporting agencies, and requirements to delete retained data and implement a robust privacy program.
The California Privacy Protection Agency Board voted to support two bills (AB 1542 and SB 1106) and took a 'support if amended' position on a third bill (AB 883). These bills aim to strengthen privacy protections by expanding sensitive data protections, improving deletion rights under the Delete Act, and providing expedited deletion for elected officials and judges.
The California Privacy Protection Agency sent a letter to Congress opposing the SECURE Data Act, a federal bill that would preempt state privacy laws like the CCPA and Delete Act. The letter argues the bill would eliminate rights for 40 million Californians, including the DROP platform and opt-out preference signal requirements, and urges Congress to set a floor rather than a ceiling on privacy protections.
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