California families are already struggling with rising costs
The last thing we need is another cost driver that is making prices even higher.
Yet that’s exactly what’s happening as a group of predatory billboard attorneys exploit a 1960s-era wiretapping law—the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA)—to file thousands of frivolous lawsuits against businesses, churches, nonprofits, and even local news organizations.
These lawsuits don’t make Californians safer.
They don’t strengthen privacy protections.
They don’t benefit consumers.
What they do is force everyday organizations to spend tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees—costs that are ultimately passed on to all Californians.
Why This Matters for California’s Affordability Crisis
CIPA abuse is quietly making life more expensive for everyone:
- Businesses of all sizes are hit with “pay up or get sued” demand letters simply for operating standard websites
- Nonprofits, churches, food banks, and community groups are drained of resources meant for services—not lawyers
- Small businesses that settle one lawsuit often receive another shortly after, from a different law firm
- Local news outlets that comply with modern privacy rules still face massive penalties under an outdated statute
- California’s courts and economy are strained further at a time of a major budget deficit
This surge in litigation has nothing to do with protecting Californians. It’s a cash grab built on exploiting a 1960s wiretapping law to turn normal online tools—like everyday website analytics—into supposed crimes.
California Consumers Are Already Protected By Strong Privacy Laws
California is a national leader in privacy protection. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) was created specifically to regulate how data is collected and used in today’s digital world—clearly, transparently, and responsibly. The CCPA works alongside existing modern privacy laws, like HIPAA and GLBA, protecting the full scope of consumer data.
Instead of following this modern framework, billboard attorneys are resurrecting a 60-year-old wiretapping statute to manufacture lawsuits against organizations that are already trying to do the right thing.
The Result? Higher Prices for All of Us
When organizations are forced to spend thousands defending against bogus lawsuits, those costs don’t disappear. They show up as:
- Higher prices for goods and services
- Cuts to staff and community programs
- Reduced access to local news, services, and support
California should be focused on making life more affordable—not enabling frivolous lawsuits that punish compliance and raise costs for families.
It’s Time to REFORM CIPA
A straightforward update, including SB 690, can:
Clarify that modern privacy practices are governed by modern privacy laws like the CCPA.
Stop predatory and frivolous lawsuits while preserving strong consumer protections.
Protect businesses, nonprofits, churches, food banks, and newsrooms from legal shakedowns.
Help keep costs down for California families.
Californians deserve privacy protections that work as intended—and a legal system that doesn’t make the affordability crisis worse.
Our Coalition Members
Community Voices
Our Coalition Members
Our coalition brings together businesses and organizations already facing these frivolous lawsuits, as well as those that could be targeted next — from retail, hospitality, and healthcare to nonprofits, social justice groups, churches and small businesses. What unites them is a shared concern: shakedown CIPA lawsuits threaten California’s economy and the communities these organizations serve.
Join the Coalition
Stand with businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and consumers across California.