(a) A lessor shall provide clear and prominent notice to a consumer and obtain express consent from the consumer at the time the lessor and the consumer enter into a rental-purchase agreement for an electronic device if that device has geophysical location tracking technology installed by the lessor, and at any time the geophysical location tracking technology is activated or used by the lessor.

(b) For purposes of this section, “clear and prominent notice” means notice presented in an understandable language and syntax, in the predominantly used language for that communication, and that:

(1) In textual communications, the required disclosures are separate and apart from a privacy policy, data use policy, terms of service, end-user license agreement, lease agreement, or other similar document, and of a type, size, and location sufficiently noticeable for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend in print that contrasts highly with the background on which they appear.

(2) In communications disseminated orally or through audible means, the required disclosures are unavoidable and delivered in a volume and cadence sufficient for an ordinary consumer to hear and comprehend.

(3) In communications disseminated through video means, the required disclosures are in writing in a form consistent with paragraph (1) and appear on the screen for a duration sufficient for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend them.

(4) In communications made through interactive media, including the Internet, online services, and software, the required disclosures are unavoidable and presented in a form consistent with paragraph (1), in addition to any audio or video presentation.

(c) A lessor shall not use, sell, or share geophysical location tracking technology on an electronic device for any purpose other than the repossession of the electronic device when there is a violation of the rental-purchase agreement, pursuant to law, or when requested by the consumer.

(d) Clear and prominent notification shall be displayed on an electronic device if geophysical location tracking technology is activated or used by the lessor. This notification requirement shall be suspended if the consumer or lessor reports that the electronic device has been stolen and has filed a police report stating that the electronic device has been stolen. For purposes of this subdivision, “filing a police report” means the filing of a consumer’s or lessor’s complaint with the police department in any form recognized by that jurisdiction.

(e) A lessor shall provide that any geophysical location tracking technology that has been installed by the lessor on an electronic device, or can be activated by the lessor, expires upon the first instance the electronic device connects to the Internet after completion of the purchase of the electronic device.

(f) A lessor shall not use or install monitoring technology on an electronic device for any purpose other than to provide remote technical assistance when requested by the consumer.

(g) A lessor shall provide clear and prominent notice to a consumer and obtain express consent from the consumer for the installation or use of any software that allows the lessor to provide remote technical assistance and upon the activation and deactivation of any remote technical assistance when requested by the consumer.

(h) A lessor shall not acquire any data when providing remote technical assistance beyond what is necessary to provide assistance to the user and beyond what the user has consented to. Any data acquired during the period of consumer consented technical assistance shall not be retained, used, or sold for any purpose.

(i) This section shall not be interpreted to require a lessor to enter into a rental-purchase agreement with any consumer who does not provide express consent to the above-described provisions of the rental-purchase agreement.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 426, Sec. 2. (AB 2667) Effective January 1, 2015.)