Consumer Reports' Matt Schwartz expresses disappointment in Newsom's veto of AB 1542
Consumer ReportsSenior policy analyst Matt Schwartz
In a press release, Matt Schwartz, senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports, said the organization is disappointed in the Governor's decision to allow businesses to continue to sell consumers' sensitive personal information. He said the practice leads to serious consumer harms, including stalking, identity theft and predatory targeting.
“We are disappointed in the Governor’s decision to allow businesses to continue to sell consumers’ sensitive personal information”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Should Gavin Newsom have blocked companies from selling Californians' sensitive personal data?
Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 1542 on September 27, 2026. The bill would have restricted covered businesses' sale and sharing of sensitive personal information. Newsom said the prohibition went too far and raised concerns about consumer choice and enforcement costs. Author Chris Ward and privacy advocates condemned the veto, arguing that existing protections leave consumers exposed. The dispute concerns Newsom's decision on the bill.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Consumer Reports criticizes the AB 1542 veto in a statement from senior policy analyst Matt Schwartz.
Before the quotation
The press release says Newsom vetoed AB 1542, a bill that would have amended the California Consumer Privacy Act to prohibit companies from selling sensitive personal data.
After the quotation
Schwartz added that the practice should be stopped, as it has been in several other states, and that Consumer Reports looks forward to working with California policymakers to strengthen privacy standards in the next legislative session.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why 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. Schwartz says Consumer Reports is disappointed in the decision to allow businesses to continue to sell sensitive personal information, which rejects the veto, so we labeled it Condemned. The closest competing label is Challenged the characterization, because he also describes the harms of such sales; he states a verdict on the veto itself, so it loses.
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More from this case
Read the full caseAssociation of National Advertisers' Chris Oswald welcomes Newsom's veto of the bill
Association of National Advertisers
“overly broad and ill-conceived approach to consumer data.”Read statement
Assemblymember Chris Ward says he is "deeply disappointed" by Newsom's veto of AB 1542
“I am deeply disappointed by the Governor’s decision to veto AB 1542”Read statement
Gavin Newsom says "a categorical ban on sharing that information is a step too far" in vetoing AB 1542
“a categorical ban on sharing that information is a step too far”Read statement
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- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Consumer Reports' Matt Schwartz expresses disappointment in Newsom's veto of AB 1542
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/5467-in-a-press-release-matt-schwartz-senior-policy
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Consumer Reports' Matt Schwartz expresses disappointment in Newsom's veto of AB 1542". First published: 2026-10-11. Last updated: 2026-10-11. https://disputeindex.com/events/5467-in-a-press-release-matt-schwartz-senior-policy