Covered California Certified Enroller Practice Exam

Should consumer PII be retained or stored without consent?

1. Yes, it is usually acceptable

2. No, consent is required

3. Only for specific types of information

4. Yes, but only in a secure location

The correct answer is: No, consent is required

Consumer Personal Identifiable Information (PII) must not be retained or stored without consent due to legal, ethical, and privacy considerations. Consent is fundamental to ensuring that individuals have control over their personal information, aligning with regulations such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar privacy laws that govern the handling of personal data. The requirement for consent protects individuals' rights and helps prevent data breaches and misuse of their information. Without explicit agreement from consumers, retaining their PII would violate their privacy and could result in legal ramifications for the organization involved. Furthermore, respecting consumer consent builds trust and transparency, which are essential components in any service that handles sensitive information. In contrast, the other options may imply scenarios that compromise privacy safeguards. For instance, stating that it's acceptable to retain PII without consent could lead to unauthorized data handling practices that violate privacy rights. Similarly, suggesting that only specific types of information can be stored without consent or that it can be securely stored does not address the essential requirement for prior consent from consumers.