New privacy rights for Californians

January 1, 2004 brought a wide range of new privacy rights for Californians, a development that Wired News believes may have effects across the country:

Wired News: Golden State of Privacy:

"Californians entered the new year with the assurance their cell phone numbers cannot be automatically added to the 411 database, the ability to sue spammers and the comfort of knowing rental car companies cannot track their travels, thanks to a spate of privacy-enhancing laws that went into effect Jan. 1.

Those outside California's borders may benefit as well.

California laws often have effects beyond the state's borders, since companies often find it easier to adapt all of their operations to comply with the Golden State's standards...."