Cosmetics retailer Sephora to pay $1.2 million under sweeping California privacy law
California has its first significant settlement under the state’s sweeping online privacy law, and it’s not with a tech company.
SAN FRANCISCO — California has its first significant settlement under the state’s sweeping online privacy law, and it’s not with a tech company.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday that the state had reached a settlement with Sephora in which the cosmetics retailer will pay $1.2 million and agree to an injunction for selling customers’ data without telling them.
Bonta said the settlement marks the start of real enforcement of the California Consumer Privacy Act, which has been taking effect in stages since 2020 and covers the state’s 39 million residents.
“The kid gloves are coming off,” Bonta, a Democrat, said in an online news conference. “There are no more excuses. Follow the law. Do right by consumers.”
It’s the first settlement that Bonta’s office has reached under the law, which also allows some lawsuits by consumers themselves.
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