Privacy and Data Protection Laws Explained
1. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law in the European Union (EU) that aims to give individuals control over their personal data. It requires organizations to be transparent about how they collect, store, and use personal data and mandates that individuals have the right to access, correct, and delete their data.
Example: A company must inform customers about what data is collected, why it is collected, and how it will be used. Customers can request to see their data and have it deleted if they no longer consent to its use.
2. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a data privacy law in California that grants consumers the right to know what personal information is being collected about them, the right to delete that information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal data. It also requires businesses to disclose their data collection practices.
Example: A California resident can request a company to disclose all the personal data it has collected about them and can opt-out of having their data sold to third parties.
3. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law in the United States that sets standards for protecting sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. It applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses.
Example: A hospital must ensure that patient medical records are kept confidential and can only be accessed by authorized personnel for legitimate purposes.
4. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. law that requires websites and online services to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under the age of 13. It also requires websites to post privacy policies and provide notice about their data practices.
Example: A website aimed at children must obtain parental consent before collecting any personal information from a child and must clearly state what data will be collected and how it will be used.
5. Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act)
The Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) is a U.S. law that empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to oversee and enforce consumer protection laws, including those related to data privacy and security. The FTC can take action against companies that engage in unfair or deceptive practices related to data collection and use.
Example: If a company falsely claims that it encrypts all customer data, the FTC can investigate and take action if it finds that the company is not complying with its stated privacy practices.
6. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is a Canadian federal law that governs how private sector organizations collect, use, and disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities. It sets out 10 fair information principles that organizations must follow.
Example: A retail company must obtain explicit consent from customers before collecting their personal information and must use that information only for the purposes specified.
7. Data Protection Act (DPA)
The Data Protection Act (DPA) is a law in the United Kingdom that regulates the processing of personal data within the UK. It complements the GDPR and provides additional protections for individuals' personal data. It sets out rules for data controllers and processors to ensure that personal data is handled responsibly.
Example: A UK-based company must comply with both GDPR and DPA when processing personal data, ensuring that data subjects have the right to access their data and that data is processed lawfully and fairly.
8. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) is a U.S. law that requires financial institutions to explain how they share and protect customers' private information. It also requires financial institutions to provide customers with the option to opt-out of having their information shared with non-affiliated third parties.
Example: A bank must inform customers about its privacy policies and give them the opportunity to opt-out of having their financial information shared with other companies.