There's been much talk about data privacy in recent years, and rightfully so, as data has in many ways become the currency of the digital age. 

Yet within the United States, there is not yet a single comprehensive set of data privacy laws. Instead, many individual states have taken the opportunity to create their own sets of data privacy laws. The same is true for many other countries and regions, with the European Union's GDPR leading the way in data privacy laws. 

As a leading provider of data privacy legal services, SVTech knows that it is of the utmost importance that businesses who handle customer and personal data be aware of the evolving nature of data privacy laws, both in the U.S. and around the world. 

Today we'll examine the latest developments in data privacy laws and data protection compliance and teach you what you need to know for 2025. 

What You Need to Know About Data Privacy Laws in 2025: The Major Players

Data privacy laws are constantly evolving. As of 2025, there is not a single, unifying set of data privacy laws that govern the United States as a whole. But that doesn't mean there aren't significant laws at the state level that technology companies must comply with. 

While the laws discussed below offer protection for individuals residing in those states, any organization that collects data on individuals residing in these states must abide by these laws.

Here are the major players in data privacy within the United States:

CCPA/CPRA (California)

The California Consumer Privacy Act, established in 2020 (and the recent amendment to it, the California Privacy Rights Act, 2023), was the first comprehensive data privacy law enacted in the US. The CCPA/CPRA grant California residents significant rights, including the right to know, access, delete, and opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal data. 

VCDPA (Virginia)

The Virginia Consumer Data Privacy Act (VCDPA) gives Virginia residents a similar slate of rights as the CCPA/CPRA, as well as the right to opt out of targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, and profiling. 

CPA (Colorado)

The Colorado Privacy Act gives state residents the right to access, correct, delete and opt out of the processing of their personal data for targeted ads and sales. 

UCPA (Utah)

The Utah Consumer Privacy Act allows Utah residents to obtain a copy of their personal data, as well as to access and delete it. Residents can also opt out of the sale of their data. 

CTDPA (Connecticut)

The Connecticut Data Privacy Act offers similar protections as Virginia and Colorado, including the right to access, correct, delete and opt out of the sale of personal data, while also including specific provisions regarding children's data. 

These five states are not the only states to enact data privacy laws, but they offer among the strongest protections for individuals. 

Technology companies that do business and collect data on users residing in states with data privacy laws have an obligation to comply with these data protection laws - and yes, that does mean complying with the laws of each state individually. 

Beyond the Border - International Data Privacy Laws

While the U.S. continues to develop data privacy laws at the state level, technology companies that operate on a global level must achieve compliance with international data protection laws as well. 

Some of the most important international data privacy laws include:

GDPR (European Union)

The General Data Protection Regulation governs the collection, transmission, use and security of data collected from any of the 27 countries that comprise the European Union. The GDPR applies to any organization, regardless of where they are based, that collects and processes the personal data of EU citizens, or offers them goods or services within the EU. 

The GDPR requires entities to communicate the set of data subjects' rights, in a clear and easy to access manner on their website. These data subject rights include:

• The right to be informed

• The right to access their data

• The right of rectification

• The right of erasure

• The right to restrict processing 

• The right to data portability

• The right to object

The GDPR also requires that individuals be required to give free, specific, informed and unambiguous consent before any personal data can be collected - even a computer IP address, which is not typically considered personal information in the U.S. 

Not only that, but this comprehensive set of privacy rules also require organizations to notify supervisory authorities and data subjects within 72 hours of a data breach occurring that affects their personal information. 

Other International Data Privacy Laws

While the most influential international data privacy law is the GDPR, other countries also have significant data privacy laws that must be taken into consideration when doing business in these countries. 

China's Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) has a significant impact on tech companies. It features strict requirements on data processing and cross-border transfers of information for companies that collect personal data on Chinese citizens. 

Likewise, Brazil's Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) offers significant data protection laws to Brazilian citizens. Inspired by the GDPR, it establishes its own legal requirements for processing data, along with enforcement rules. 

Because of the complex and ever changing nature of international data privacy laws, retaining the services of a data privacy attorney such as SVTech is essential to untangling this complex web of international regulations.

What's at Stake: The Consequences of Data Privacy Violations

Mishandling consumer data, or flat-out ignoring data privacy laws can have significant repercussions. These consequences are more than just an inconvenience. They can cost an organization money, reputation, and even jeopardize their stability. 

Here are some of the key consequences organizations face for ignoring data protection legal compliance:

• Financial Penalties - The most direct and serious consequences from non-compliance with data privacy laws include substantial fines. Under the GDPR, organizations can face penalties of 20 million euros, or 4% of their annual global turnover, whichever is higher. Under California's CCPA/CPRA, an intentional violation of data privacy laws can result in fines of $7,500 per consumer, per incident which quickly adds up when we're talking about hundreds of thousands of individuals. 

• Loss of Trust - While perhaps not as noteworthy a consequence as financial penalties, the reputational damage that can occur from significant or intentional violations of data protection legal compliance can have a serious negative impact. A loss of customer trust can lead to an exodus of customers from a platform, and can make it difficult to attract new business and new partners. Rebuilding trust doesn't come easy, and can take years - if it can ever be regained. 

• Legal Action - Companies that violate data privacy laws or ignore compliance open themselves up to potential class action lawsuits from those affected individuals. Lawsuits open the door for further financial loss, while simultaneously damaging a company's reputation. 

• Increased Regulatory Scrutiny - When a company has been found to violate data privacy laws, they will face increased scrutiny from regulators in the future. This means more eyes watching what you do, eyes that will be looking for other privacy mishaps. Penalties may be more severe for repeat offenders as well. 

These are just a few potential consequences for companies that do not take data privacy laws and compliance seriously. It is ultimately the responsibility of any organization that handles personal data to practice responsible use of it. The consequences are simply too severe to do otherwise. 

If you have questions about data privacy laws and achieving compliance with them, it is essential to seek the services of an experienced data privacy attorney.

The Intersection of AI and Data Privacy Laws

With the rapid rise and adoption of AI driven systems in nearly every sector of the technology industry, it's worth taking some time to discuss AI and data privacy laws.

Because of the deep seated reliance on data for most AI applications, it is particularly important that data privacy be a high priority for any technology company working in this area. 

The data used to train AI models is often rife with sensitive personal data and information, which raises privacy considerations. For example, were privacy considerations taken into account in the data collection process? Are there any risks of bias or exposure of sensitive information within the training database?

These are fundamental questions that must be asked when working with emerging AI technologies. 

Similarly, the so-called “black box” of AI raises questions about how AI uses data to arrive at a specific output. Without transparency, it's difficult to know if an AI is using sensitive personal information in inappropriate or harmful ways. 

There is also the question of purpose limitation in AI. Was the data collected for a specific purpose, and has it been used in alignment with that purpose? Data is regularly repurposed for AI training, which raises privacy concerns. 

While specific laws that directly address AI and data privacy are still developing, existing privacy laws are being applied. 

In the meantime, the services of a specialized data privacy attorney can advise your organization on best practices for staying in compliance with existing data privacy laws, as well as prepare for new laws and regulations targeting AI as they emerge.

What Tech Companies Can Do to Comply with Data Privacy Laws in 2025

Lastly, we'll cover a few things that any organization should be doing now to stay on top of data privacy laws. 

• Stay Informed of New Legal Developments - New state, federal and international laws will continue to emerge. Staying connected with a data privacy attorney such as SVTech is a great way to keep up with the latest developments.

• Prioritize Data Minimization - A regular review of your data collection practices will ensure that you are only collecting the most necessary data, and not risking violations of privacy. 

• Create Strong Data Governance Policies - How you collect data, where it is stored, how it is used, and who has access to it are fundamental questions that should be codified as company policy. 

• Increase Transparency and Communication with Users - Your data collection policies should be clear and easily accessible to users. Exercising their rights around how their data is collected and used shouldn't be a confounding task. 

• Prepare for AI-Specific Data Privacy - Proactively consider the implications of AI and data privacy laws, and explore ways to integrate AI and data privacy as you start to develop your products.

• Focus on Data Security - Strong security measures to protect sensitive personal data from unauthorized access, data breaches and hacks are essential. This includes training your employees at every level to understand the importance of data security and their role in protecting it. 

Conclusion

Navigating the constantly shifting landscape of data privacy laws in 2025 and beyond requires an informed and flexible approach. With the lack of a unifying federal law regulating data privacy, you must keep up with the existing and yet-to-come privacy laws of individual states. 

And equal attention must be paid to international data privacy laws if you collect data on citizens of other countries. A watchful eye and proactive compliance is key to maintaining a successful approach to data privacy. The potential consequences of a violation are too severe to take lightly.

At SVTech Law, we offer data privacy legal services to our clients in the technology industry that will help you keep compliance at the top of mind. 

Don't wait for a violation to occur. Ensure your organization is prepared to handle the challenges of data protection legal compliance.

Contact SVTech Law Advisors today for expert guidance on data privacy laws, and for an initial consultation to discuss your specific needs. 

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a qualified attorney to address your specific legal needs.