Should Gavin Newsom have blocked companies from selling Californians' sensitive personal data?
Newsom vetoed AB 1542, which would have restricted sensitive-data sales and sharing. He cited consumer choice and costs; Chris Ward and privacy advocates say existing protections are inadequate.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The enrolled bill (opens in a new tab) addressed sensitive information under the California Consumer Privacy Act. Its prohibition included qualifications, so it did not ban every disclosure. Statutory sharing concerns cross-context behavioral advertising.
In his veto message (opens in a new tab), Newsom defended consumer choice under existing law. The Network Advertising Initiative (opens in a new tab) had requested a veto while proposing opt-in consent instead. Ward's response (opens in a new tab) includes Matt Schwartz's criticism of stalking, identity-theft and predatory-targeting risks.
The attorney general's CCPA guide (opens in a new tab) explains existing opt-out and sensitive-information rights.
People in this case
Gavin NewsomDirectly involved
Timeline
2 timeline entries on this page. Dates: September 27, 2026 to September 28, 2026
September 2026
2 events
Newsom vetoes AB 1542
Incident
Newsom returned the bill without his signature, citing the scope of its prohibition, consumer choice and enforcement costs.
[01]Governor Gavin Newsom's veto message for AB 1542
Newsom's signed message explains his reasons for vetoing the sensitive-data bill.
Governor Gavin Newsom's veto message for AB 1542Page 1: consumer choice, scope of the prohibition and enforcement costs[02]Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.27.2026
The governor's office lists AB 1542 among the bills vetoed on September 27.
Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.27.2026List of vetoed bills: AB 1542 by Assemblymember Chris WardWard and privacy advocates criticize the veto
Reaction
Ward's office published criticism from the bill's author, John Bennett, Matt Schwartz and Dahni Tsuboi.
[03]Governor Vetoes Ward Bill to Protect Californians' Sensitive Personal Data
Ward's office publishes attributed criticism of the veto from the bill's author and privacy advocates.
Governor Vetoes Ward Bill to Protect Californians' Sensitive Personal DataStatements by Chris Ward, John Bennett, Matt Schwartz and Dahni Tsuboi
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 5. Dates: September 8, 2026 to September 28, 2026
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
1 response on this page
Gavin NewsomGovernor of CaliforniaDirectly involved"a categorical ban on sharing that information is a step too far"
Defended or excusedCase context: Should Gavin Newsom have blocked companies from selling Californians' sensitive personal data?
Read more
In his veto message, Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote that, while he supports the author's goal of protecting Californians' sensitive personal information, a categorical ban on sharing that information is a step too far.
Before the statement
Newsom's veto message of September 27, 2026 says he is returning Assembly Bill 1542 without his signature.
After the statement
Newsom added that he worries there may be unintended consequences if consumers are removed entirely from the decision process, and that implementation and enforcement would carry significant costs not included in the 2026 Budget Act.
Governor Gavin Newsom's veto message for AB 1542Page 1: consumer choice, scope of the prohibition and enforcement costsWhy this label?
The reference point is Newsom's decision to veto AB 1542, the bill that would have barred businesses from selling or sharing sensitive personal information. Newsom explains that a categorical ban on sharing is a step too far, which supports the veto as the right call, so we labeled it Defended or excused. The closest competing label is Mixed or conditional, because he also says he supports the bill's goal; he still declines to sign it, so it loses.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(6)
Official statement
Governor Gavin Newsom's veto message for AB 1542
Relevant passage: Page 1: consumer choice, scope of the prohibition and enforcement costs
About this source
Newsom's signed message explains his reasons for vetoing the sensitive-data bill.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Governor Vetoes Ward Bill to Protect Californians' Sensitive Personal Data
Relevant passage: Statements by Chris Ward, John Bennett, Matt Schwartz and Dahni Tsuboi
About this source
Ward's office publishes attributed criticism of the veto from the bill's author and privacy advocates.
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.27.2026
Relevant passage: List of vetoed bills: AB 1542 by Assemblymember Chris Ward
About this source
The governor's office lists AB 1542 among the bills vetoed on September 27.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
NAI request to veto AB 1542
Relevant passage: Section VI, page 5
About this source
Letter dated September 8 requesting a veto and proposing opt-in consent as an alternative.
- Author
- David LeDuc, Network Advertising Initiative
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Newsom Vetoes Ban On Sharing Sensitive Data
About this source
Quotes Newsom's veto message and the Association of National Advertisers' response.
- Author
- Wendy Davis
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
California governor vetoes bill banning the sale of sensitive consumer data
About this source
Consumer Reports criticizes the AB 1542 veto in a statement from senior policy analyst Matt Schwartz.
- Author
- Consumer Reports
- Published
- Accessed
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Should Gavin Newsom have blocked companies from selling Californians' sensitive personal data?
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/gavin-newsom-ab-1542-veto-sensitive-personal-data-sales
The Dispute Index. "Should Gavin Newsom have blocked companies from selling Californians' sensitive personal data?". First published: 2026-10-11. Last updated: 2026-10-11. https://disputeindex.com/cases/gavin-newsom-ab-1542-veto-sensitive-personal-data-sales