Is there a new privacy law in California?

Yes.  The CCPA took effect January 1, 2020, but implementing regulations are not expected to be issued until the summer of 2020.  Key rights and requirements are described in this factsheet.  

Will this change my privacy rights and responsibilities as a UC Davis student, staff, or faculty member?

The CCPA applies to for-profit businesses in California of a certain size.  If you share your personal data with these businesses, then you may have additional privacy rights under the new law.   Although the CCPA does not apply to the non-profit programs and activities of the University of California, a few resources are provided here for UC Davis community members to help you better understand your rights under this law when interacting with for-profit business entities or activities subject to the CCPA.

Where can I find additional information on the CCPA?

The California Attorney General has created a website with updates on the new law and on any relevant regulations.  

October 14, 2019 
Posted by Larisa King

Why should I not use the same password everywhere?

Names, emails, and passwords hacked from one site can and have been later posted on public/online discussion boards.  Unauthorized users then attempt to use those same names, emails, and passwords to access your information on other common sites.

Have these risks recently impacted UC Davis students?

Yes, in 2018, Chegg, an online student textbook provider unaffiliated with UC Davis, experienced a data breach.  [See California Attorney General’s advisory here: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/California%20-%20Notice%20Letter%20to%20Consumers_0.PDF]  Some UC Davis students used Chegg and were impacted by the breach.  Student emails and passwords from that breach were re-posted online in 2019.   If students used their Chegg passwords for university or other systems, the re-posted information allowed unauthorized users to attempt access using the emails and passwords obtained from the Chegg breach. 

Have there been recent data privacy breaches that might impact me?

Kaiser recently experienced a data breach that impacted more than 1,000+ Sacramento area customers.  https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/health-and-medicine/article235779552.html

How do I protect my privacy?

• Use a different password for each site, and use a password manager to keep track of all your passwords.  The New York Times’ Wirecutter recommends these password managers:  1Password (fee service) or LastPass (free version available)
• Enroll in Duo, available to all campus students.  It’s two-factor authentication is an extra safeguard.