{"id":21241,"date":"2023-07-10T06:37:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T13:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=21241"},"modified":"2025-12-26T10:08:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T10:08:00","slug":"best-and-worst-us-states-online-privacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/best-and-worst-us-states-online-privacy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best &amp; Worst States in America for Online Privacy\u00a0(2026 Update)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are no federal online privacy laws in the US, so each state is left to create its own rules. While some have comprehensive protections in place, others allow sites to collect your data, share it, and use it to track what you\u2019re doing online.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we explore which states currently have the best and worst protection, what the US is doing at the federal and state levels to protect online privacy, and how you can protect your privacy in states with little cybersecurity legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Our Ranking Criteria<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our research team examined various criteria to determine which states have the best and worst consumer protections in place at the moment, and are making the best progress toward improving consumer privacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To create our rankings, we asked the following questions and tallied the results for each state:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General Strength of Privacy Laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Does the consumer have a right to access, delete, or modify personal data?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can consumers opt out of data collection and use?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are companies required to disclose data collection, source, and use information?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are ISPs required to protect online privacy under current legislation?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General Strength of Data Security Laws\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What methods are used to create and enforce privacy policies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do companies in each state safeguard consumer data?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Presence of Data Broker Laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do laws exist that prevent the sale of certain forms of information?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do laws exist to monitor\/regulate what type of information is collected?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What, if any, rights do consumers have in regard to data brokers?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Laws in Place to Protect Children\u2019s Privacy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are laws in place to protect children aged 0\u20139 while using the internet?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do parents\/minors have the ability to remove data on request?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strength of Companies\u2019 Data Collection Policies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do employees have the right to delete personal data on request?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do employees have the right to opt out of third-party sharing?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are companies required to disclose what employee data they collect\/store?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Laws that Infringe on Digital Privacy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0Has the state implemented any laws that infringe on digital privacy?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0Have state legislators been vocal in their support of further legislation that would harm citizens\u2019 rights to online privacy?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>PIA\u2019s Ranking of the Best &amp; Worst States for Digital Privacy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"1024\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IG-1-1-618x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IG-1-1-618x1024.png 618w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IG-1-1-181x300.png 181w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IG-1-1-768x1274.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IG-1-1-926x1536.png 926w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IG-1-1.png 1153w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">US States with Notable Improvements to Digital Privacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th colspan=\"3\" style=\"background-color: #6AA84F; text-align: center;\"><strong>Other Notable Online Privacy Laws<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td style=\"background-color: #38761D\"><strong style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Protection<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"background-color: #38761D\"><strong style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Applies To<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"background-color: #38761D\"><strong style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Adopted In<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Right to access personal data<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>All signed states*<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Right to correct personal data<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>All signed states* except IA, UT<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Right to delete personal data<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>All signed states*<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Right to opt out of certain processing<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>All signed states* except CA**, IA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Right to data portability<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>All signed states*<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Request that businesses disclose what personal information they collect, the source, and how it\u2019s used<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>CA, UT, NV<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Right to opt out of sales<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>All signed states*<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Right to opt in for sensitive data processing<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>All signed states* except CA, IA, UT<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require ISPs to keep certain information about subscribers private, unless the subscriber requests otherwise<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>NV, MN<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require ISPs to get permission from subscribers before disclosing a subscriber\u2019s surfing habits or sites visited<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>NV, MN<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prohibits ISPs from using, disclosing, selling, or permitting access to subscriber personal information except on request of the subscriber<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>ME<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prohibit site\/online service operators from advertising certain products to minors based on information specific to the minor, or knowingly using, disclosing, or compiling a minor\u2019s information or allowing third parties to do so<\/td><td>Children<\/td><td>DE, CA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Permit minors to remove, or request removal, of personal content or information from sites, services, and mobile apps<\/td><td>Children<\/td><td>CA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Right to notice and transparency<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>All signed states*<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require operators to disclose whether third parties are\/may conduct tracking on the operator\u2019s site\/service<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>DE, CA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require operators to disclose how a site\/service responds to \u201cDo Not Track\u201d signals\/similar transmissions<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>CA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prohibit knowingly making false or misleading statements in privacy policies<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>NE, PA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require government sites and state portals to establish privacy policies or procedures or incorporate machine-readable privacy policies<\/td><td>Consumer<\/td><td>AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, IA, IL, ME, MD, MN, MT, NY, SC, TX, UT, VA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require employers to notify employees prior to monitoring electronic communications or internet access<\/td><td>Employees<\/td><td>CT, DE, NY<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require states and public entities to adopt policies in regard to monitoring public employee emails<\/td><td>Employees<\/td><td>CO, TN<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>(A) Prohibit employers from requiring employees to download a mobile app to their personal devices that allows their location to be tracked or personal information to be revealed. (B) Prohibit any form of retribution for refusing or opposing any practice forbidden as stated in part (A).<\/td><td>Employees<\/td><td>HI<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require private sector employers to provide written notice immediately on hiring any employee that makes them aware if they are subject to electronic, internet, or phone monitoring<\/td><td>Employees<\/td><td>NY<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require the state and any subdivision thereof that operates or maintains electronic mail communications systems to adopt a written policy on monitoring and when\/why they conduct monitoring<\/td><td>Employees<\/td><td>CO, TN<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require employers to make a statement available that any form of electronic mail may be public record under the Public Record Law, and that makes it subject to public inspection<\/td><td>Employees<\/td><td>CO, TN<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Protect the personal information of students in grades K\u201312<\/td><td>Children<\/td><td>NJ<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">* \u201cAll signed states\u201d refers to US states with enacted comprehensive consumer privacy laws, as tracked by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) in its <a href=\"https:\/\/iapp.org\/media\/pdf\/resource_center\/State_Comp_Privacy_Law_Chart.pdf\">US State Privacy Legislation Tracker 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">** In California, this right applies only to sensitive personal information under the CCPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th colspan=\"2\" style=\"background-color: #6AA84F; text-align: center;\"><strong>Other Notable Online Privacy Laws<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td style=\"background-color: #38761D\"><strong style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Summation<\/strong><\/td><td style=\"background-color: #38761D\"><strong style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Adopted In<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Have biometric data protection legislation in place<\/td><td>NY, IL, CA, TX, WA, CO<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Apply data disposal laws to government and business entities<\/td><td>AL, AK, HI, IL, MA, AZ, AR, KS, MD, MA, MI, NJ, OR, SC, WA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Apply data disposal laws to government entities only<\/td><td>VA, MN, TX<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Apply data disposal laws to business entities only<\/td><td>CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MT, NE, TN, VT, NV, NM, NY, NC, RI, UT, WI<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Require consent from both parties when recording calls of any kind<\/td><td>CA, CT, FL, IL, MD, MA, MT, NH, PA, WA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Have laws\/legislation surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI)<\/td><td>All US states except AK, OH, WY, and the District of Columbia<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<br>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"888\" height=\"1024\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IG-3-888x1024.png\" alt=\"Image showing why California is the best state for privacy\" class=\"wp-image-24773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IG-3-888x1024.png 888w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IG-3-260x300.png 260w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IG-3-768x886.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/IG-3.png 1153w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-state-laws-on-ai\">State Laws on AI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike the European Union, which has a single framework for AI, the US has no national law governing how AI collects or uses data. Instead, <a href=\"https:\/\/ai-law-center.orrick.com\/us-ai-law-tracker-see-all-states\/\">regulation is happening at the state level<\/a>, much like privacy laws, leaving consumers and companies with an uneven set of protections depending on where they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While many states have focused their AI laws on issues like deepfakes or digital likeness rights, states such as California, Colorado, Utah, and Maryland have taken a more in-depth approach. Their laws address transparency, accountability, and limits on automated decision-making in sensitive areas such as hiring, lending, and healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">States with Cybersecurity Task Forces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a response to the increase in cybercrime, some states have developed special task forces to deal with cyber threats. Currently, 30 states have a task force or similar enforcement group in place. Only 8 states took the initiative to create legislation and develop their task forces on their own; the rest were issued by executive order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th colspan=\"3\" style=\"background-color: #274E13; text-align: center;\"><strong style=\"color: #ffffff;\">US States with Specialized Cybercrime Task Forces<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td style=\"background-color: #CCCCCC\">\u2605 Arizona <br>\n\u2605 Arkansas<br>\n\u2605 California<br>\n\u2605 Colorado<br>\n\u2605 Connecticut<br>\n\u2605 Delaware<br>\n\u2605 Florida<br>\n\u2605 Georgia<br>\n\u2605 Idaho<br>\n\u2605 Illinois<br>\n<\/td><td style=\"background-color: #CCCCCC\">\u2605 Indiana <br>\n\u2605 Iowa<br>\n\u2605 Kansas<br>\n\u2605 Louisiana<br>\n\u2605 Maine<br>\n\u2605 Maryland<br>\n\u2605 Minnesota<br>\n\u2605 Mississippi<br>\n\u2605 Missouri<br>\n\u2605 Montana<br>\n<\/td><td style=\"background-color: #CCCCCC\">\u2605 New Hampshire<br>\n\u2605 New York<br>\n\u2605 North Carolina<br>\n\u2605 North Dakota<br>\n\u2605 Oregon<br>\n\u2605 Rhode Island<br>\n\u2605 Texas<br>\n\u2605 Utah<br>\n\u2605 Vermont<br>\n\u2605 Virginia<br>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the federal level, agencies like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbi.gov\/investigate\/cyber\/national-cyber-investigative-joint-task-force\">FBI\u2019s National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.secretservice.gov\/investigations\/cyber\">US Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Forces<\/a> coordinate national cybersecurity efforts and assist state-level task forces with investigations and enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Federal Digital Privacy and Security Laws<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Currently, federal (nationwide) laws on digital privacy and security are well meaning but ambiguous. Each tends to isolate one sector, issue, age group, or industry instead of providing a stable solution for all consumers and companies. I\u2019ll show you what I mean \u2013 here are a few of the major federal online privacy laws<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HIPAA\u2019s Security Rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/phlp\/php\/resources\/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-of-1996-hipaa.html\">Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)<\/a> created a national standard for the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) that applies to any care provider storing or transmitting health information, including health care providers, schools, and health care clearinghouses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While HIPAA\u2019s Privacy Rule applies to all forms of PHI (electronic, oral, and written), its Security Rule applies only to electronic PHI (e-PHI). The Security Rule mandates technical, physical, and administrative safeguards to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of e-PHI.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Fair Information Practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/\">FTC<\/a> has enacted several fair information practices to protect your online privacy. Most relate to sites being transparent about what information they request, how it\u2019s used, and why they require the information. Site operators must provide a notice of the site\u2019s privacy practices, including if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Consumers can access, correct, and delete personal information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consumers have a say in how the site uses the information it collects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents have control over the collection and use of information gathered from children<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The site safeguards any collected information, and how<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sites must also have enforcement mechanisms to prove they\u2019re following fair information practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d9ead3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\"><p><strong>Con:<\/strong> While sites must let you know if you have a say in how they use the information collected, FTC practices don\u2019t prevent sites from sharing or selling your data to third parties. The site only needs to tell you if it does, if you have any control over it, and if it has security in place for collected information.<\/p><\/div><br><p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electronic Communication Protections Act (ECPA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adopted in 1986, the <a href=\"https:\/\/bja.ojp.gov\/program\/it\/privacy-civil-liberties\/authorities\/statutes\/1285\">ECPA<\/a> originally protected telephone communications. The amended ECPA now protects electronic communications during creation, transit, and storage. It defines electronic communications as email, telephone calls, and electronically stored data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ECPA also contains an amendment called the Stored Communications Act (SCA) which protects all subscriber records kept by service providers, including names, billing information\/records, and IP addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d9ead3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\"><p><strong>Con:<\/strong> The ECPA is outdated, leaving gaps in protections for modern technologies like the internet, big data, and social media.\n<\/p><\/div><br><p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Federal Consumer Privacy Laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite repeated attempts in Congress, the US still lacks a comprehensive federal consumer privacy law, resorting instead to a patchwork of state laws and narrow sector-specific rules like HIPAA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recent federal action has focused on narrowly defined issues, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/118th-congress\/house-bill\/7520#:~:text=This%20bill%20makes%20it%20unlawful,by%20such%20a%20country%20(e.g.%2C\">Protecting Americans\u2019 Data from Foreign Adversaries Act<\/a> (2024), which bars data brokers from sending sensitive US personal data to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/118th-congress\/house-bill\/7521\/text\">Foreign Adversary-Controlled Apps Law<\/a> (2024), which requires divestiture or bans of apps controlled by foreign adversaries, such as TikTok.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/119th-congress\/senate-bill\/146\">TAKE IT DOWN Act<\/a> (2025), which criminalizes nonconsensual intimate images, including AI deepfakes, and requires removal within 48 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d9ead3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\"><p><strong>Con:<\/strong> Federal action remains stalled, leaving US privacy protection fragmented across state laws.\n<\/p><\/div><br><p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FD&amp;C Act, Section 524B<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FD&amp;C Act was amended in 2023 to include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/digital-health-center-excellence\/cybersecurity-medical-devices-frequently-asked-questions-faqs\">Section 524B Ensuring Cybersecurity of Devices<\/a>. Manufacturers (sponsors) developing medical devices must submit plans for addressing, identifying, and monitoring potential cybersecurity threats with their development plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was amended after increasing concern from the federal government over the massive amounts of PII and ePHI transmitted by cyber medical devices (CMDs). The law requires manufacturers to make updates and patches available to cyber devices, as well as all related software and connected systems, to better prevent cyberattacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This includes addressing (a) unacceptable vulnerabilities in a timely manner or justified regular cycle, and (b) critical vulnerabilities that pose unnecessary risks as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d9ead3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\"><p><strong>Con:<\/strong> It doesn\u2019t address legacy CMDs as diligently as new technologies.\n<\/p><\/div><br><p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Children\u2019s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/legal-library\/browse\/rules\/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa\">COPPA<\/a>, sites are required to verify parental or legal guardian consent if they intend to collect or use a minor\u2019s personal information. Other notable online privacy protections in COPPA include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Information on when and how verifiable consent must be acquired from a parent\/legal guardian<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The responsibilities, if any, that the site\u2019s operator holds in regard to the online safety and privacy of the child<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limits on how much data it\u2019s acceptable to collect about children under 13<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Requirements for site operators to post the privacy policy on any page data is collected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d9ead3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\"><p><strong>Con:<\/strong> COPPA doesn\u2019t provide a definitive set of rules for how verifiable parental\/legal guardian consent must be collected, though the FTC does provide some guidelines and suggestions. \n<\/p><\/div><br><p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Federal vs State Laws<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a general rule, federal laws take precedence over state laws in the US. The Supremacy Clause states that when there\u2019s conflict, federal law will override state law. Unfortunately, this isn\u2019t an absolute rule, so loopholes exist for both branches.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">States have the right to refute any federal law they can prove goes against the United States Constitution. The same precedent doesn\u2019t apply to federal laws that a state believes go against its Constitution. Individual states also have the right to include or modify requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, the federal government can sue states on its own behalf. An example of these loopholes in action is California\u2019s fight to keep its <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB822\">Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act<\/a> in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The federal Department of Justice sued to block the state law after it was signed in 2018, arguing that only the federal government could regulate interstate commerce. California ultimately prevailed, and in 2022 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed the state could enforce its law even after the FCC repealed national protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2025-01-03\/california-has-net-neutrality-despite-6th-circuit-decision\">blocked the FCC\u2019s attempt to bring back federal rules<\/a> and left state laws like California\u2019s in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use PIA to Protect Your Digital Privacy in the US<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Online privacy laws in the US are evolving, but not nearly fast enough to keep up with the ever-increasing threat of cybercrime. Until stronger protections are in place, individuals are largely responsible for safeguarding their own data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/\">VPN<\/a><\/strong> like Private Internet Access is a great way<strong> <\/strong>to protect your data. We provide military-grade encryption and tough security protocols to protect your data as it travels between your device and our servers. You also get MACE, an all-in-one ad, malware, and tracker blocker that stops threats at the DNS level before they reach your device.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the latest on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/50-servers-50-states\/\">50 Servers in 50 States campaign<\/a> to see how you can get a secure IP address no matter where you are in the US. You can use these servers to connect to a location without age verification laws or other invasive pieces of legislation. That way, you can protect your digital privacy while the US develops better cybersecurity policies at the state and federal levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1688121976541\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What does data privacy mean?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Data privacy refers to your ability to control how your personal information is collected, stored, shared, and used. While many US states have laws in place to protect people\u2019s online privacy, no national standard exists.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1688121998580\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is data privacy important?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Absolutely. Imagine people were allowed to follow you around tracking your day-to-day activities without you being able to do anything about it. No one would tolerate that in real life, so why accept it in the virtual world?<br><br>Unfortunately, restraining orders don\u2019t exist for online trackers, malicious software, or shady data brokers, so defending your right to online privacy and security is crucial. PIA provides the strong security you need to keep your online activity and data private.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1688122034636\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What\u2019s the difference between data privacy and security?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Data security focuses on how your data is protected in transit and ensures only authorized parties can access it. Data privacy focuses on the responsible collection, storage, and use of your information, such as your right to delete or modify collected data.<br><br>Basically, data security aims to protect your data from external threats while data privacy is focused on protecting your identity.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1688122047392\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Are there data privacy laws?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">There are data privacy laws at both the federal and state levels in the US, but individual state laws vary greatly from one state to the next. No federal or state law provides a singular set of regulations for data privacy.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover where online privacy laws are the strongest in the US. 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