Reader Privacy Act
Reader Privacy Act
Other
Protects records of what people read. Book service providers may not disclose users' personal information to government entities, or be compelled to disclose it, except with a court order meeting strict findings (probable cause, compelling interest, no less intrusive means, notice) or other listed circumstances.
- Where
- California
- Citation
- Cal. Civ. Code 1798.90-1798.90.05
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 2012-01-01
- Enforced by
- Private plaintiffs; courts
- People can sue
- Yes
- Penalties
- Not determined from the section read (remedies in 1798.90(g)-(h) not fetched in full).
- Applies to
- Commercial providers of book services (rental, purchase, borrowing, browsing, or viewing of books, in any format)
Practices it requires
- Do not knowingly disclose a user's personal information to a government entity, or be compelled to disclose it, except under the listed conditions (e.g., a qualifying court order).Cal. Civ. Code 1798.90(c)
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: Transparency-report duties and damages provisions not fetched; effective date inferred from 'Title 1.81.15 added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 424'.
Research reference, not legal advice.