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This week, we took an important step to protect renters and restore fairness in our housing market. California, along with eight other states, secured a $7 million settlement with Greystar, one of the nation’s largest property management companies, for its role in an alleged scheme to use algorithmic software to share sensitive information and align rent prices.
The message is simple: Whether the exchanges happen in backroom meetings or through a computer algorithm, colluding to align prices is illegal. Families across California are already stretched thin by the high cost of housing. Companies that intentionally make this crisis worse by sharing sensitive information to maximize rents will be held accountable.
As part of this settlement, Greystar must stop using any pricing software, including RealPage, that relies on competitors’ confidential data to align rents. Greystar will also be required to stop sharing sensitive information with rival landlords and to cooperate with our ongoing case against RealPage and other defendants.
No company is above the law. We will continue to stand up for renters, protect competition in our economy, and take on anyone who uses illegal tactics to coordinate rents and put housing further out of reach for hardworking families.
In solidarity,
Rob
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Supporting Tenants and Promoting a Competitive Economy
 Over the past four decades, California's housing needs have far outpaced our housing production. As a result, the 17 million renters in our state are spending a substantial share of their income on rent, leaving an estimated 700,000 residents at risk of eviction. Companies that knowingly and illegally drive up housing costs for profit, like Greystar, should expect my office to take decisive action to hold them accountable. Greystar is the largest landlord in the United States, managing nearly 950,000 rental units nationwide. In California, the company manages approximately 333 multifamily rental properties that use RealPage’s pricing software. To read more about our settlement with Greystar, click on the button below.
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Condemning Trump Administration's Proposal to Open California Coast to Offshore Oil Drilling
 Time and again, President Trump has made it clear that he prioritizes the profits of his Big Oil allies over the protection of our environment and the health of our communities. This week, the Trump Administration announced a draft plan to open waters off the coast of California for drilling. My office stands fully opposed to this plan. We are not a rich man’s playground, and the President cannot come and extract resources as he pleases. The United States already produces more oil and gas than any other country and exports more than it uses, and demand for gasoline has been dropping since 2019, especially on the East and West coasts.
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Protecting California’s Libraries and Museums
 More and more, courts are rejecting — definitively and permanently — the Trump Administration’s illegal efforts to dismantle our government agencies and strip away the vital services they provide. This week, we obtained a permanent injunction from the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island blocking the dismantling of several federal agencies “responsible for, among other things, funding museums and libraries, mediating labor disputes, supporting minority-owned businesses, and preventing and ending homelessness.” I’m proud to protect these important institutions from President Trump’s misguided attacks.
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Holding Mobile Gaming Company Accountable for Privacy Violations
 Many Californians like to unwind after a long day by gaming on their cell phones. Even on apps, California law obligates companies to provide a way for consumers to opt-out of the sale and sharing of their personal data. This process should be simple, transparent, and easy to navigate. Unfortunately, that was not the case for Jam City, Inc., a company that creates games for mobile platforms, including games based on popular franchises such as Frozen, Harry Potter, and Family Guy. This week, we announced a settlement with Jam City. In addition to $1.4 million in civil penalties, Jam City must provide in-app methods for consumers to opt-out of the sale or sharing of their data. The company also must not sell or share the personal information of consumers at least 13 and less than 16 years old without their affirmative “opt-in” consent.
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Making Your Life Affordable
 Making Your Life Affordable: From groceries to gas, costs seem to be rising and rising ... and rising. California DOJ has your back and is committed to protecting California families grappling with the high cost of living. In this segment, find some of the ways California DOJ is protecting Californians — and their wallets.
What We are Doing: More than 41 million low-income Americans — including 5.5 million Californians — rely on SNAP benefits for vital food assistance. During the recent government shutdown, the Trump Administration refused to fully fund those benefits. My office refused to stand idly by.
We sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to force them to fund SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. Not one, but two federal district courts determined that the Trump Administration acted unlawfully. And when the Administration responded by asking the U.S. Supreme Court to pause one court’s order requiring USDA to pay full benefits, we vigorously challenged that request, which was ultimately withdrawn after the government reopened. The SNAP program is now fully funded through September 2026.
What this Means to You: How we treat those with the least among us reveals the character of a country, and during the government shutdown, extraordinarily long lines at food pantries could be seen in red and blue states alike. The stakes were high.
I’ve said time and time again that, if the Trump Administration breaks the law, we have a responsibility to fight back. And we did. With the holidays approaching, and SNAP benefits once again flowing, my hope is that we’ve eased some of the financial stress for you, your family, and loved ones.
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Keeping You Safe
 This week, we announced the results of the second Operation Coast to Coast, a collaborative effort to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation through targeted enforcement.
The operation took place across 15 states and multiple cities with the goal of sharing intelligence, identifying trafficking victims, and arresting traffickers. As a result of the multi-state operation, 34 individuals were arrested and 77 survivors were offered support services, including three minors.
In California, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF), led by California DOJ, took part in the operation. SDHTTF conducted two simultaneous operations, one focused on street-level contacts and recoveries in San Diego’s National City “Blade,” and one focused on hotel-based undercover "outcall operations." As a result of this work, two juvenile trafficking victims were recovered, and 13 adults were contacted; all were offered resources and support services.
It is vital that we carry out our goal in a manner that is trauma-informed and culturally competent. That’s why our special agents receive specialized training and experience to appropriately handle these cases with the sensitivity, compassion, and care that victims deserve. I am thankful for these strong national partnerships and look forward to all that we can accomplish when we work together.
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CARE Corner
 California DOJ's Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE) invites you to a virtual presentation on our Cybercrime Section. The Cybercrime Section is comprised of professionals who investigate and prosecute technology-related crimes in California, such as internet fraud, scams, cyberstalking, and more.
To register for this virtual presentation, learn about their work, and receive helpful tips, click on the button below.
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FLASH BRIEFING
Attorney General Bonta Secures Court Decision Allowing States to Participate in Evaluation of Allegedly Corrupt HPE/Juniper Merger
Trouble on the Ice: Attorney General Bonta Throws Support Behind Hockey Players in Antitrust Case
Attorney General Bonta Steps Up to Defend California Law Helping Holocaust Survivors Recover Stolen Art
Attorney General Bonta Urges USDA to Correct Mistakes that Risk Denial of SNAP Benefits to Certain Eligible Noncitizens
Attorney General Bonta Opposes States’ Attacks on Transgender Youth Participation in Sports
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Photo of the Week
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 Discussing California's efforts to defend our most vulnerable communities at a conference organized by UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.
At California DOJ, whenever the Trump Administration breaks the law, we’ll continue to be there, and ready to hold him accountable.
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Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help California DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General IV, Licensing Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Native American and Tribal Affairs Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Land Use and Conservation Section
Deputy Attorney General III, Tort & Condemnation
Deputy Attorney General III, Cannabis Control Section
Assistant Bureau Chief (Non-Peace Officer), Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis
Research Associate III, Office of Information Security & Research Services
Contracts Analyst, Office of Human Resources
Legal Secretary, Legal Support Operations
Quality Assurance Analyst, Bureau of Firearms
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