*By Mike Teich*
A sweeping data privacy bill has been approved in California, but it may be too late for internet users to protect their information, said former National Counterterrorism Center officer Dave White.
"You have to consider yourself compromised," he said. "You’ve already given your data away."
Experts are calling it the nation's most far-reaching law to give consumers more control over their personal data. Under the law, customers can request what personal data companies have collected and what third parties have received it.
The passing of the historical bill didn't come without criticism. The ACLU of Northern California said the legislation falls "woefully short" in defending individuals' rights.
"It's a great first step," White said. However, “it doesn’t go far enough."
Companies that collect user data, from Amazon to Microsoft to Uber, lobbied aggressively against the law, pouring millions into a [opposition campaigns](https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/15/17468292/amazon-microsoft-uber-california-consumer-privacy-act).
But consumer advocates called it a milestone victory. "Today was a [huge win](http://money.cnn.com/2018/06/28/technology/california-consumer-privacy-act/index.html) and gives consumer privacy advocates a blueprint for success," James P. Steyer, CEO and founder of Common Sense Media. "We look forward to working together with lawmakers across the nation to ensure robust data privacy protections for all Americans."
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/california-passes-historic-privacy-bill).
The merger gives Intuit a chance to inject new life in its consumer business that it lost in the 2009 acquisition of Mint, just as the post-financial crisis fintech industry was coming to life and personal financial management apps began flooding the market.
For weeks, the World Health Organization’s chief official has warned of a narrowing “window of opportunity” to stall the virus’s spread, but the case count continues to tick upwards on a daily basis.
Huawei's U.S. Chief Security Officer Andy Purdy pushed back against accusations by the DOJ against the Chinese company while it does business with other nations such as the UK.
From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, these are the top stories that moved markets and had investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs talking this week on Cheddar.
The Libra Association has finally gained one major supporter: the e-commerce giant Shopify.
Brothers Khalil and Ahmed Abdullah of Decoy Games are stepping up to help other game developers of color get their footing in the industry.
Stocks fell in midday trading as investors fretted about more signs that a viral outbreak was spreading and a report showing a sharp weakening in U.S. business activity. Investors headed for safer territory.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Friday, February 21, 2020.
With the purchase, Voyager is acquiring 40,000 retail accounts from Circle Invest, adding to its existing 200,000 users. Circle Invest users will be converted to the Voyager platform by the end of next month.
San Francisco-based Lending Club, which went public in 2014, matches borrowers with investors willing to fund their loans. Merging with Radius, a $1.4 billion-asset, Boston-based community bank, gives it a fast track to becoming a regulated deposit-taking company
