The Verge reports on the battle spurred by the California privacy initiative known as the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018. While almost entirely funded by Alastair Mactaggart, a Bay Area real estate developer, the privacy initiative faces a well-funded opposition, according to state disclosure records. In the past few weeks, Amazon, Microsoft and Uber have made contributions totaling $445,000. A spokesperson for Amazon said, “While we share the initiative’s overarching goal of protecting consumer privacy, we are concerned by unworkable requirements that would hinder our ability to innovate on behalf of our customers. We look forward to working with policymakers to find a solution that allows us to do both.” In a letter countering Microsoft’s opposition, Mactaggart wrote, “If your commitment to your customers’ privacy is as strong as you say it is, please prove it.”
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