SACRAMENTO – Tech Oversight California today launches as a Sacramento-based advocacy group dedicated to reinforcing the ongoing fight to build a better internet in California and beyond by holding Big Tech platforms accountable. As a project of The Tech Oversight Project, the new group seeks to bring together policy, organizing, and communications experts to push the state forward as a national and global role model for strong accountability in regulating tech.
“We’re excited to launch Tech Oversight California at a critical time in the state’s fight to rein in Big Tech, leaning on our track record of success in beating the biggest industry players’ playbook both nationally and at the state level, and offering extra muscle. We’re not afraid to bring the fight to Big Tech companies,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project.
Tech Oversight California will support legislative efforts to improve competition, privacy, and safety in the technology California builds and Californians use. Its activities will include coordinating and collaborating with organizations across the state to engage and mobilize policymakers and the public towards meaningful tech policy reforms. The organization brings the expertise of two California policy and politics veterans to advise its activities in-state:
Nichole Rocha, Tech Oversight California’s policy advisor, brings extensive knowledge of the legislative process and technology policy to the organization. In 2023 she was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to the Children’s Data Protection Working Group. Her previous roles include Head of 5Rights US, Chief Consultant to the California Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, and Counsel to the California Senate Judiciary Committee.
Kevin Liao, Tech Oversight California’s communications advisor, has worked extensively in California politics, including serving as Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s press secretary where he was at the center of the legislature’s biggest fights and newsworthy moments for half a decade. As a consultant, Kevin shepherded media relations and messaging for California legislation implementing long overdue online safety regulations for children and helped coordinate the media rollout of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, including managing an unprecedented international media consortium.
“Sacramento has the power to rein in Big Tech’s worst excesses, and as Tech Oversight California shines a new spotlight on these abuses and strengthens our fight for solutions, I’m optimistic that we can build a digital economy that works for all Californians,” said former State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, who during her tenure blocked efforts to weaken the California Consumer Privacy Act and fought to strengthen enforcement of privacy protections.
As it launches, Tech Oversight California is announcing support for three pieces of state legislation that tackle critical issues at the leading edge of technology that affect Californians’ everyday lives: Senator Padilla’s legislation to protect children from predatory chatbot practices (SB 243); Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry’s bill to hold providers and users of price-fixing algorithms accountable for undermining competition (AB 325); and Assemblymember Ward’s bill to prohibit businesses from engaging in surveillance pricing (AB 446).