Privacy has become the new tech battleground, with companies like Google and Facebook seeking to profit from user data, while Apple and Microsoft have consistently come in on the side of protecting user privacy. Now, Microsoft has taken it a step further, embracing the most comprehensive set of privacy laws in the United States.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. CCPA is designed to protect user privacy and give individuals more control over how their data is used by corporations. The law requires companies to be transparent about the data they collect, how it’s used and give people the ability to prevent companies from selling their personal information. Microsoft makes it clear in a recent blog post that they are strong supporters of this approach.

“We are strong supporters of California’s new law and the expansion of privacy protections in the United States that it represents. Our approach to privacy starts with the belief that privacy is a fundamental human right and includes our commitment to provide robust protection for every individual. This is why, in 2018, we were the first company to voluntarily extend the core data privacy rights included in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to customers around the world, not just to those in the EU who are covered by the regulation. Similarly, we will extend CCPA’s core rights for people to control their data to all our customers in the U.S.

“We continue to put these principles into practice every day through ongoing investments in tools that give people greater control over their personal information. More than 25 million people around the world – including over 10 million people in the U.S. – have used our privacy dashboard to understand and control their personal data. By being transparent about the data we collect and how we use it, and by providing solutions that empower businesses to safeguard personal data and comply with privacy laws, we can demonstrate our commitment in the absence of Congressional action.”

Microsoft is also committed to helping other companies abide by CCPA.

“In addition, we are working closely with our enterprise customers to help them comply with CCPA. Our goal is to help our customers understand how California’s new law affects their operations and provide the tools and guidance they will need to meet its requirements.”

Hopefully, Microsoft’s example will encourage other companies to take a stronger stance on protecting consumer privacy.