The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) is a significant piece of consumer privacy legislation in the U.S. that builds upon the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). While it affects a wide range of industries, life sciences companies, which frequently handle personal and sensitive data, should pay close attention to the implications
The CPRA introduces heightened privacy protections that will impact the operations of life sciences companies, especially in how they collect, process, and secure personal and sensitive data. Companies in the sector should proactively assess their data practices, revamp their privacy policies, and ensure ongoing compliance to avoid potential penalties and maintain trust with consumers and patients.
The CPRA introduces the concept of "sensitive personal information," which includes data like genetic data, health data, biometric information, and more. Life sciences companies often deal with such data, especially in research, diagnostics, and treatment. Under CPRA, consumers have the right to limit the use of their sensitive personal information, which could affect how companies handle, process, and store this data.
Consumers have additional rights, including the right to correct inaccurate personal information, which might affect life sciences companies involved in patient engagement, patient support programs, and other consumer-facing initiatives.
The CPRA emphasizes the principle of data minimization, which means that companies should only collect, use, and retain data necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. Life sciences companies conducting research or clinical trials will need to ensure they don't collect more data than needed.
Companies that process large volumes of personal data or handle sensitive personal data will have to undergo regular risk assessments and cybersecurity audits. This requirement could be particularly relevant for life sciences companies involved in big data analysis, AI-driven drug discovery, and other data-intensive processes.
Life sciences companies will need to provide clear notice about the categories of personal information collected, the purpose of its collection and use, and the length of time it will be retained. They must also ensure that the data is used only for the purposes disclosed.
Even if a life sciences company is based outside California, if it provides products or services to California residents and meets the CPRA's applicability criteria, it will need to comply. This means global life sciences companies must be aware of and adhere to the CPRA's requirements.
iliomad Health Data has guided biotech and medtech companies in California towards compliance with the latest state regulations. Leveraging its deep understanding of these rules, Iliomad Health Data helps to establish secure and compliant operations within this U.S. state.
