Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Companies Like Uber, Facebook Say They Won't Need To Adjust To New California Laws

  •  Ben Adler 
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Dozens of supporters of a measure to limit when companies can label workers as independent contractors circle the Capitol during a rally in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019.

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

As California seeks to crack down on worker misclassification, predatory lending and consumer data privacy, some companies are fighting back — by flat-out refusing to comply with new laws that they say don’t apply to them.

Facebook, for example, says it doesn’t need to change its web tracking service when California’s new data privacy law takes effect in January.

Uber has insisted its drivers can still be classified as independent contractors, despite lawmakers codifying a state Supreme Court ruling that suggests they’re employees.

And money lenders are partnering with out-of-state banks to get around a newly passed interest rate cap on loans between $2,500 and $10,000.

“Everyone has to calculate what their risk tolerance is,” said Margita Thompson, who served as press secretary for former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Ultimately, you have to figure out what’s going to be the impact to my bottom line, what’s going to be the impact to my workforce what’s going to be the impact to my shareholders.”

Thompson says the way a law is written on paper might not necessarily match the way a state agency might implement or regulate it. That’s where the legal system comes in.

In the end, she says, “it’s not gonna be something that companies can ignore.”

While companies can challenge a law, Thompson says it’s also something the courts can enforce. “And so you need to make sure that you are capturing whatever costs may happen through that ultimate implementation, even if you’re not doing it right away,” she said.

In some cases, voters will have a say, too: Measures that would expand data privacy rights and allow gig companies to keep their drivers classified as independent contractors are likely heading for California’s November ballot.

Clarification: We've updated the headline on this story to clarify that the companies say their existing policies already comply with the new laws.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about New California Laws 2020

  • Icons courtesy of Font Awesome

    New California Laws For 2020

    Every year hundreds of new California laws take effect Jan. 1. Many of them won't have much effect on your daily life. Here's a closer look at some that might in 2020.

    Related Stories

  • Startup Stock Photos

    How California Is Rewriting The Law On Online Privacy

    Saturday, December 7, 2019
    California's new data privacy law is the nation's toughest. Here's what it will and won't do to help you control the use of your data online.
  • Randol White / Capital Public Radio

    A Bill To Fix Or Foul California’s Gig Economy

    Thursday, September 5, 2019
    Independent contractors could become employees of companies such as Uber, Lyft and Doordash, changing their ability to earn a living and the businesses they work for forever.

 New California Laws 2020

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli and courtesy of Rafa Garcia

Three Democrats square off to represent Sacramento in the state Senate

May 23, 2022

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Newsom, lawmakers vow to speed up gun control bills after Texas school shooting

May 25, 2022

Peter Barreras/AP Images for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

May 28, 2022

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: The COVID surge may be larger than reported

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: The COVID surge may be larger than reported

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

California Governor Gavin Newsom tests positive for COVID-19

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.