States Unite to Shield Reproductive Data From Right-Wing Attacks After Federal Failures

In an era where every click, search, or step can be tracked, personal privacy hangs by a thread. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside a coalition of state leaders, has ignited a bold push to reclaim consumer data rights. The newly formed Consortium of Privacy Regulators, uniting California with Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, New Jersey, and Oregon, signals a defiant stand against unchecked data exploitation. This bipartisan effort, rooted in California’s pioneering privacy laws, aims to protect individuals from the growing threats of data breaches and misuse, particularly for vulnerable communities.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. As more of our lives migrate online—banking, healthcare, even intimate personal choices—the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands skyrockets. Data brokers and corporations profit by harvesting and selling personal details, often without consent or transparency. For immigrants, those seeking reproductive care, or members of the LGBTQ+ community, such exposure can lead to discrimination, surveillance, or worse. The Consortium’s formation marks a critical step toward coordinated enforcement, ensuring that privacy protections keep pace with a borderless digital world.

California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), a landmark law, serves as the blueprint for this fight. By granting consumers the right to know, delete, and opt out of data sales, the CCPA empowers individuals to wrest control from corporations. Yet, as Bonta’s recent actions show, the law’s promise hinges on vigorous enforcement. From investigative sweeps targeting location data to settlements with companies like Sephora and DoorDash, California is setting a national standard. The Consortium amplifies this mission, pooling expertise to confront violations that cross state lines.

Contrast this with the inertia of those who prioritize corporate interests over human rights. Some argue that stringent privacy laws stifle innovation or burden businesses. But this tired defense crumbles when weighed against the real-world harm of data breaches—financial ruin, identity theft, or targeted persecution. The Consortium’s collaborative approach exposes the weakness of such arguments, proving that protecting consumers and fostering economic growth are not mutually exclusive.

The urgency of this work shines brightest when we consider the most vulnerable. Location data, often collected covertly by apps, has been weaponized against those seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care. Since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, reports have surfaced of data brokers selling information about visits to Planned Parenthood clinics to anti-abortion groups. In states like Idaho, law enforcement has used such data to pursue abortion-related prosecutions, chilling access to lawful care. California’s recent enforcement sweep into the location data industry, announced by Bonta in March 2025, directly confronts this menace.

Immigrant communities face similar risks. Geolocation data can expose patterns of movement, placing individuals at the mercy of federal immigration authorities or hostile actors. The Consortium’s focus on coordinated enforcement offers a lifeline, ensuring that states share intelligence and resources to crack down on illegal data practices. By treating location data as inherently sensitive, California’s approach sets a model for others, prioritizing human dignity over profit.

Children, too, are caught in the crosshairs of data exploitation. California’s recent settlement with Tilting Point Media, which illegally collected and shared children’s data, underscores the need for robust protections. The federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), bolstered by state laws, demands parental consent for data collection from minors. Yet, as social media platforms and apps target younger users, enforcement must keep pace. The Consortium’s collaborative framework strengthens this effort, enabling states to hold tech giants accountable for predatory practices.

Opponents of these measures often claim that privacy laws harm small businesses or limit technological advancement. This argument rings hollow when we see major corporations, not mom-and-pop shops, profiting from lax oversight. The real cost lies in the erosion of trust—when parents, patients, or marginalized groups fear their data will be used against them. The Consortium’s work, grounded in California’s aggressive enforcement, counters this by fostering accountability without stifling innovation.

California’s leadership extends beyond its borders, inspiring a wave of state-level privacy laws and federal action. The CCPA’s influence is undeniable: consumers now have tools to demand transparency and control over their data. Settlements like the $375,000 penalty against a food delivery platform in 2024 show that violations carry real consequences. Meanwhile, the Consortium’s partnership with the California Privacy Protection Agency ensures that enforcement evolves alongside emerging threats, such as automated decision-making and targeted advertising.

Nationally, the push for privacy protections gains momentum. The Federal Communications Commission’s Privacy and Data Protection Task Force, now collaborating with ten states, mirrors the Consortium’s model of shared expertise. At the federal level, updates to the HIPAA Privacy Rule in 2024 shield reproductive health data from misuse, though legal challenges from states like Texas threaten progress. These efforts, while imperfect, reflect a growing recognition that privacy is a fundamental right, not a luxury.

Yet, the road ahead is fraught. The change in federal administration raises questions about the future of privacy enforcement. States like California, through the Consortium, must remain vigilant, filling gaps where federal resolve falters. The CCPA’s emphasis on data minimization—collecting only what’s necessary—offers a principled framework to guide this work, ensuring that consumer rights remain paramount.

The alternative—deregulation or apathy—invites chaos. Without strong privacy laws, corporations will continue to exploit personal data, and vulnerable communities will bear the brunt. The Consortium’s formation sends a clear message: states are stepping up where others fall short, forging a united front to protect the public.

The Consortium of Privacy Regulators is more than a bureaucratic alliance; it’s a declaration that our personal data belongs to us, not to corporations or bad actors. By uniting states in the fight for consumer privacy, California and its partners are rewriting the rules of the digital age. This work, fueled by the CCPA’s bold vision, empowers individuals to demand accountability and safeguards those most at risk of exploitation.

As threats to privacy grow—whether through data breaches, surveillance, or discriminatory targeting—the need for collective action becomes undeniable. The Consortium’s commitment to collaboration, enforcement, and innovation offers hope that we can reclaim control over our digital lives. For every consumer, parent, or patient navigating an online world, this fight is deeply personal. It’s time to stand with those who are leading the charge.