Public comments split over CPPA automated decision-making rules, opt-outs and training-data limits

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 19, 2025 — Public commenters at a California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) hearing on Feb. 19 pressed sharply divergent views on proposed rules for automated decision‑making technology, with industry groups warning of large economic and compliance costs and privacy and labor advocates urging stricter opt‑out, transparency and training‑data limits.

The proposed regulations would create new requirements for businesses that use automated decision‑making technology (ADMT), including disclosures, risk assessments and consumer opt‑out rights. The CPPA held the hearing as the final day for oral public comments on a rulemaking package that also addresses cybersecurity audits, risk assessments and insurance‑sector regulations.

Why it matters: ADMT rules could affect advertising, website design and model training practices used across sectors from retail and life sciences to healthcare and the arts. Industry witnesses told the agency the proposals risk significant costs and lost customers; privacy groups and worker representatives called for stronger safeguards and said current commercial uses of ADMT can cause real harms to consumers and workers.

Industry concerns

Small business owners said the ADMT notice and opt‑out mechanisms, plus pop‑up screens, would reduce web traffic and harm revenue. Jeff Bond, who identified himself as founder of Inspect.net, said his inspection business relies on targeted digital…