GDPR and Privacy laws in the United States
In recent years, data privacy has become an increasingly important topic for businesses and consumers alike. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which was introduced in the European Union in 2018, set a new standard for data privacy, and now similar legislation is coming to the United States.
Several states, including California, Virginia, and Colorado, have already passed their own data privacy laws. These laws require businesses to disclose what personal information they collect from consumers and how that information is used. They also give consumers the right to access and delete their personal information.
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) was the first state law of its kind in the United States, and it went into effect in 2020. The law applies to businesses that collect personal information from California residents and have annual gross revenues over $25 million, or that collect the personal information of 50,000 or more consumers, households, or devices.
The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA) is set to go into effect in 2023, and it applies to businesses that collect personal data from Virginia residents and have annual gross revenues over $25 million, or that process the personal information of 100,000 or more consumers.
Similarly, the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) will go into effect in 2023 and applies to businesses that collect personal information from Colorado residents and have annual gross revenues over $25 million, or that process the personal information of 100,000 or more consumers.
While these state laws differ in some details, they all share the goal of giving consumers more control over their personal data. Businesses that are subject to these laws will need to implement procedures to ensure compliance, such as appointing a data protection officer and providing a clear privacy policy.
With these state laws in place, it’s clear that data privacy is becoming an increasingly important issue for businesses in the United States. As more states consider similar legislation, businesses will need to take proactive steps to protect consumer data and ensure compliance with privacy laws. By doing so, they can not only avoid costly penalties but also build trust with their customers and demonstrate their commitment to protecting privacy rights.
Let us know if you feel you fall under any of these current privacy laws and we can work together with a legal team to put the necessary policies in place and get them displayed on your website correctly.
