Background

With states passing inconsistent laws and no uniform federal law addressing data privacy, there’s a patchwork of rules for companies to comply with. ALTA is dedicated to helping its members understand what they need to do to comply, if required, with data privacy laws.

ALTA Policy Position

ALTA believes any comprehensive data privacy legislation should include a full entity exemption for entities subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). Since 1999, this federal law has strictly limited financial institutions’ use and sharing of customers’ personal information. Additionally, financial institutions are required to assure the security of this information and provide comprehensive disclosures to consumers.

 

Data Privacy Principles

ALTA Principles for Data Privacy Laws

file:///images/advocacy/data-privacy-alta-principles-for-data-privacy-laws.png

Suggested Data Privacy Legislative Language

file:///images/advocacy/data-privacy-alta-principles-for-data-privacy-laws.png

GLBA Protects Consumers' Privacy Rights

Resources

 

Webinars

Preparing for the California Consumer Privacy Act 

Compliance Webinar: Understanding Consumer Privacy Rights and Redaction Trends 

Podcasts

ALTA Podcasts with Carlton Fields


Data Privacy Articles

Recent 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

How Companies are Preparing for the Shifting Data Privacy Landscape
Forbes  |  December 29, 2019
Whether companies like it or not, keeping users' information safe and accessible is no longer a nice-to-have feature; it's a cost of doing business. Companies that don't comply with these laws not only risk government fines and lawsuits, but damage to their reputations, as well.
Firms Scramble to Comply With California Consumer Privacy Act
Los Angeles Times  |  December 26, 2019
A sweeping new law that aims to rewrite the rules of the internet in California is set to go into effect on Jan. 1. Most businesses with a website and customers in California — which is to say most large businesses in the nation — must follow the new rules, which are supposed to make online life more transparent and less creepy for users. The only problem: Nobody’s sure how the new rules work.
U.S. Senators Introduce New COPRA Digital Privacy Act
CPO Magazine  |  December 10, 2019
The Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act (COPRA) would offer U.S. consumers the same types of data privacy protections as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and would also create a full-staffed bureau directly within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce those privacy rights.
Data Privacy Will Be The Most Important Issue In The Next Decade
Forbes  |  November 26, 2019
Until now, consumers have been willing to lend their data (or have unknowingly given it away) to get convenience or information in return. Once they fully realize the consequences of this bargain they will be looking to government and business to safeguard data and hand control back to them, the customer.
Senator Proposes Data Privacy Bill With Serious Punishments
CNET  |  October 17, 2019
On Thursday, Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, proposed legislation he said would bring meaningful punishments for companies that violate people's data privacy, including larger fines and potential jail time for CEOs.
Webinar Recording: Preparing for the California Consumer Privacy Act
October 15, 2019
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a sweeping data privacy law set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The law applies to businesses—including those outside of California—that collect “personal information” (which is very broadly defined) about California residents. The CCPA provides consumers new rights regarding their personal information, including the right to know, the right to access, the right to opt-out of sale, and the right to delete. In addition, the CCPA provides for a limited private right of action for data breaches. Listen to this webinar recording to learn how to prepare now and avoid potentially costly attorney general enforcement actions.
ALTA Whitepaper Addresses Redaction of Info in Public Land Records
September 10, 2019
ALTA’s Real Property Records Committee has finalized a white paper titled “Privacy, Redaction, and Public Land Records,” which provides guidance on the redaction of information in the public land records. The paper makes recommendations for effective solutions to protect privacy in the public land records.
New York Strengthens Cybersecurity and Consumer Privacy Protections With New Law
New York Daily News  |  July 25, 2019  |  Denis Slattery
The Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act, or SHIELD Act, updates New York’s laws concerning notification requirements and consumer data protection obligations and broadens the state Attorney General’s oversight regarding data breaches impacting New Yorkers.
California Data-privacy Law May Become the Model for Congress
Washington Examiner  |  July 23, 2019  |  Melissa Quinn
With no framework yet for a federal privacy law, states that took the initiative to regulate online firms' use of personal data may end up providing models for Congress.
ALTA Creates Groups Focused on Data Privacy
June 18, 2019
The two groups will help the association develop guiding principles that address data privacy in a comprehensive manner at the federal or state level. In addition, the Data Privacy Executive Committee and Task Force will work to help ALTA members comply, if required, with the California Consumer Privacy Act and similar laws.
ALTA Urges Congress to Develop Uniform Rules on Data Protection, Collection
March 18, 2019
ALTA urges Congress to develop national, uniform rules to guide businesses about how to protect data and to ensure consumers are notified of breaches in a timely and consistent manner.
California has Become a Battleground for the Protection of Consumer Privacy Rules
Los Angeles Times  |  March 17, 2019  |  Jazmine Ulloa
A landmark California law signed last year to enact the strongest privacy rules in the country and regulate the online marketplace of personal data is caught in a tug of war between industry lobbyists who want to weaken it and consumer groups that say it doesn’t go far enough.