Best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses

Real‑world examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses

Let’s start where everyone actually needs help: concrete examples, not abstract definitions. Below are patterns pulled from real‑world CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses across different sectors. I’m not reproducing any one company’s policy word‑for‑word, but these are very close to what you’ll see on big‑name sites in 2024–2025.

A strong example of a CCPA privacy policy for a retail brand usually puts the “selling or sharing” question front and center. A common pattern looks like this:

Do we sell or share your personal information?
We do not sell your personal information for money. We do share identifiers and internet activity with advertising partners for cross‑context behavioral advertising as defined by the CCPA. You can opt out of this sharing by clicking “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” at the bottom of our website or by broadcasting a recognized opt‑out preference signal in your browser.

This kind of language shows up in some of the best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses in the retail space because it:

Uses the legal terms “sell” and “share” but immediately explains them in plain English.
Acknowledges the use of advertising cookies and cross‑context behavioral ads (a major CPRA update).
References opt‑out preference signals (Global Privacy Control), which the California Attorney General has explicitly said must be honored in enforcement actions against companies like Sephora.

For background on how regulators interpret “selling” and “sharing,” see the California Attorney General’s CCPA materials: https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa

2. SaaS B2B platform: role clarity and data processing description

Software‑as‑a‑service companies face a different challenge: explaining when they act as a business and when they act as a service provider or contractor under CCPA. A solid example of a CCPA privacy policy in this space might say:

Our role under the CCPA
When we collect personal information from visitors to our website and from our direct customers, we act as a business under the CCPA.
When we process personal information on behalf of our enterprise customers in order to provide our services, we act as a service provider or contractor under the CCPA. In those situations, our use of personal information is governed by our contracts with our customers.

The better examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses in the SaaS world also:

Include a short table or paragraph breaking down categories of data (identifiers, commercial info, internet activity, geolocation, etc.) and how they’re used.
Make clear that they don’t sell or share customer data processed as a service provider.
Link to a Data Processing Addendum (DPA) or similar contract terms.

This reflects guidance from regulators and privacy experts who emphasize role clarity. For a good overview of privacy program expectations in the U.S., the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) privacy framework is a helpful reference: https://www.nist.gov/privacy-framework

3. Mobile app with location tracking: sensitive data and retention

Mobile apps that track location, biometrics, or precise device identifiers are under extra scrutiny. A realistic example of CCPA privacy policy language for a fitness or navigation app would look like this:

Location information
With your permission, we collect precise geolocation data from your device to provide navigation and nearby‑store features. You can disable location access at any time in your device settings.
We retain location data linked to your account for up to 12 months, after which it is either deleted or de‑identified. We do not sell or share precise geolocation data for cross‑context behavioral advertising.

Some of the best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses in the app ecosystem now:

Explicitly state whether precise geolocation is used for advertising.
Give a concrete retention period instead of the vague “for as long as necessary.”
Explain how users can revoke permissions (e.g., iOS/Android settings).

For context on location and health‑related privacy risks, regulators often reference broader privacy and security standards. While not CCPA‑specific, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and NIH provide helpful background on handling sensitive data: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/ and https://www.nih.gov/

Publishers and media companies usually rely on advertising and third‑party trackers, which puts them squarely in the CCPA spotlight. A practical example of a CCPA privacy policy section for a news site might say:

Advertising, cookies, and your CCPA choices
We work with advertising partners that collect information about your activity on our site using cookies, pixels, and similar technologies. This may be considered a sale or sharing of personal information under the CCPA.
You can opt out of this activity by:
• Clicking “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” in our footer;
• Setting your browser to send a Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal; or
• Adjusting your cookie preferences through our cookie settings link.
We will not use or disclose your personal information for targeted advertising if you have opted out.

Here, the examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses in the media sector highlight two trends in 2024–2025:

Explicit acknowledgment of Global Privacy Control signals, which California regulators treat as a valid opt‑out mechanism.
Clear, layered controls: a footer link, a cookie settings panel, and browser‑level signals, all working together.

The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) has signaled that ignoring GPC signals is a red flag in audits. You can track regulatory updates at: https://cppa.ca.gov/

Marketplaces and gig‑economy platforms have to explain how data flows between the platform and independent sellers or service providers. A strong example of a CCPA privacy policy section might be:

Information we share with sellers and service providers
When you place an order through our platform, we share your name, contact information, and delivery details with the independent seller or service provider that will fulfill your order. We require these parties to use your information only to provide the requested services and to protect your information in line with applicable law.
We also share limited identifiers and transaction data with payment processors, fraud‑prevention vendors, and logistics partners. We do not allow these parties to sell your information or use it for cross‑context behavioral advertising.

This kind of detail shows up in better marketplace‑style examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses because it:

Distinguishes between data sharing needed to fulfill a transaction and data sharing for advertising.
Names categories of recipients (payment processors, logistics, fraud vendors) in language consumers recognize.
Signals contract controls, which regulators expect when you call someone a “service provider” or “contractor.”

6. Financial services or fintech: access and deletion with legal holds

Financial institutions and fintech apps have to juggle CCPA rights with recordkeeping and regulatory obligations. A realistic example of a CCPA privacy policy section on deletion might say:

Your right to delete (with important limits)
You may request that we delete personal information we collected from you. We will honor your request subject to certain exceptions, such as when we need the information to:
• Complete a transaction or provide a service you requested;
• Detect and prevent fraud or security incidents;
• Comply with legal obligations, including banking and tax recordkeeping laws; or
• Exercise or defend legal claims.
When we deny your deletion request in whole or in part, we will explain the reason in our response.

The best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses in financial services:

Acknowledge that not all data can be deleted because of other laws.
Reference fraud prevention and legal holds as specific statutory exceptions.
Promise a clear explanation when deletion is denied.

For broader consumer financial rights context (again, not CCPA‑specific but highly relevant), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides guidance at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

7. HR / employee privacy notice: separate from consumer notice

Post‑CPRA, employee and job applicant data get fuller CCPA treatment. Many businesses now publish a separate Employee and Applicant Privacy Notice. A good example of a CCPA privacy policy in the HR context will:

Whose information is covered by this notice
This Employee and Applicant Privacy Notice describes how we collect, use, and disclose personal information about California employees, contractors, and job applicants. It is separate from our consumer‑facing Privacy Policy.

Then it lists:

Categories of information (identifiers, payroll data, benefits info, background check results, etc.).
Purposes (payroll, benefits administration, compliance with labor laws, workplace safety, etc.).
Rights and how to exercise them as an employee or applicant.

These HR‑focused examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses are increasingly common because regulators expect employee data to be treated with the same seriousness as consumer data.

Key elements you’ll see across the best examples

When you scan the best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses in 2024–2025, certain structural patterns repeat, regardless of industry. Most effective policies include:

Plain‑English summary up top

Many policies now open with a short, scannable summary that answers:

What information do we collect?
Why do we collect it?
Do we sell or share it?
What are your rights?
How do you contact us or exercise your rights?

This doesn’t replace the detailed sections, but it dramatically improves usability and shows regulators that you’re not hiding the ball.

Categories of information and sources

Strong examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses avoid legalese‑only lists. Instead of just parroting the statute, they:

Map statutory categories (identifiers, commercial info, etc.) to everyday examples: “name, email address, shipping address, purchase history, pages you view on our site.”
Explain data sources in natural language: “directly from you,” “automatically from your device,” “from our payment processors,” and so on.

Purpose‑based explanations

Rather than dumping one long paragraph, better policies group uses of data by purpose:

Service delivery: processing orders, providing support, maintaining accounts.
Security and fraud prevention: monitoring for suspicious activity, protecting accounts.
Analytics and product improvement: understanding how people use features.
Marketing and advertising: sending offers, showing relevant ads.

This purpose‑driven structure tracks how regulators think about data minimization and proportionality, even though CCPA uses slightly different terminology.

Rights and how to exercise them

Nearly all of the best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses include a dedicated section that, in plain terms, covers:

Right to know/access.
Right to delete.
Right to correct inaccurate information.
Right to opt out of sale or sharing.
Right to limit use of sensitive personal information (where applicable).
Right to non‑discrimination.

The better examples:

Provide at least two contact methods (web form, toll‑free number, email, or mailing address).
Explain verification steps: what info you may be asked to provide, and why.
Clarify response timelines (typically 45 days, with a possible extension).

For a legal baseline, the California Attorney General’s CCPA regulations summarize these rights, though they’re written for lawyers more than consumers: https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa

2024–2025 trends shaping CCPA privacy policy examples

When you look at fresh examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses, you can see clear shifts compared to 2020‑era boilerplate.

Post‑CPRA, many businesses were forced to rewrite their advertising disclosures. Current trends include:

Explicitly labeling cross‑context behavioral advertising as “sharing” under CCPA.
Adding a separate “Do Not Sell or Share” section with instructions and links.
Updating cookie banners and preference centers to match the CCPA language.

If your policy still only talks about “selling” and ignores “sharing,” it’s out of date.

Recognition of Global Privacy Control (GPC)

Regulators have made it clear that ignoring GPC is not acceptable. Modern examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses almost always:

State that the site honors Global Privacy Control signals.
Briefly explain what that means for users.
Clarify that GPC is treated as a valid opt‑out of sale/sharing for that browser.

More specific retention explanations

Instead of vague “we keep data as long as needed,” updated policies:

Group data into retention bands (e.g., 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, or “for the life of the account”).
Tie retention to clear purposes (legal obligations, fraud prevention, accounting).

California regulators have signaled that hand‑wavy retention language is not enough. The best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses now show at least some concrete time frames.

Separate notices for employees and job applicants

As mentioned earlier, you’ll increasingly see:

A consumer‑facing privacy policy.
A separate employee / applicant privacy notice.

This separation makes it easier to address CCPA rights and other employment‑law requirements in a focused way.

How to use these examples without copying blindly

You can absolutely borrow structure and phrasing from the best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses, but you should avoid treating any policy as a fill‑in‑the‑blank template.

A practical approach:

Start with a data inventory: what you collect, from whom, for what purpose, and where it goes.
Compare your actual practices to the patterns described in the examples above.
Use the examples to draft sections that match your reality: e.g., if you run a marketplace, pay special attention to the marketplace example; if you run a SaaS platform, focus on role explanations and service‑provider language.
Run the draft past legal counsel familiar with CCPA/CPRA. The law is still evolving, and enforcement priorities shift.

Remember: regulators care less about whether your policy sounds polished and more about whether it is accurate. The best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses are the ones that honestly describe what the company is doing.

FAQ: examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses

Q1. Can you give a short example of CCPA privacy policy language about selling data?
Yes. A concise example of CCPA privacy policy language that many businesses use is:

We do not sell your personal information for money. We may share identifiers and internet activity with advertising partners for cross‑context behavioral advertising, which may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” under the CCPA. You can opt out of this activity by clicking “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” or by using a browser that sends a Global Privacy Control signal.

This mirrors what you’ll see in many of the best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses that rely on online advertising.

Q2. What are some common examples of CCPA rights language?
Most policies now include language along the lines of:

California residents have the right to (1) request access to the personal information we collect about them, (2) request deletion of their personal information, (3) request correction of inaccurate personal information, (4) opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information, and (5) not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

You’ll see this, with minor variations, across many real examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses.

Q3. Are there public companies with good real examples I can look at?
Yes. Many large U.S. companies publish detailed privacy policies that reflect CCPA/CPRA requirements. While you shouldn’t copy them, they’re useful for benchmarking structure and level of detail. Look at:

Major retailers and e‑commerce platforms.
Well‑known SaaS providers.
Large media and streaming services.

Compare how they handle “selling or sharing,” GPC, and rights requests. Use these as real examples of how mature privacy programs communicate with consumers.

Q4. Do I need separate CCPA and general privacy policies?
Not necessarily. Many of the best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses use a single global privacy policy with a dedicated “California Residents” section that adds CCPA‑specific rights and disclosures. Others maintain a California‑specific addendum. The right approach depends on how different your California practices are from your global practices.

Q5. How often should I update my CCPA privacy policy?
Most companies now review their privacy policy at least once a year or whenever there is a significant change in:

Data collection or use (new products, new tracking technologies).
Legal requirements (new regulations or enforcement guidance).
Internal processes for handling rights requests.

Given how quickly privacy law is evolving, outdated text is a risk. The best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses explicitly include an “Effective Date” and sometimes a short “What’s changed” note so users can see when the policy was last updated.

Use these patterns as a checklist: if your policy doesn’t look and feel at least this specific, it’s probably time for a rewrite.

Best examples of CCPA privacy policy examples for businesses in 2025