Website Privacy Compliance Services

Privacy Is Critical... To You, Your Customers, The Law and Your Bank Account

Consumers and the Government no longer trust you with consumer data. Here’s what you need to know now about USA, California and European Privacy Compliance Services:

Businesses worldwide need to comply with Privacy Compliance Regulations

Even small businesses need to be secure and Privacy Compliant

The consequences of non-compliance are expensive and potentially criminal. 

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We’re experts at building websites that will Rank High and Sell More to your target market, no matter what business you’re in. We’re also focused on Reducing your Risk online.

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What are the main privacy laws that affect website owners?

There are three main data privacy laws that most USA-based businesses need to comply with. The GDPR, which originated in the European Union, was the first major regulation in 2018. California followed shortly after with the California Consumer Privacy Act in 2021. Some other states have similar regulations, and more are coming every few months.

What is the GDPR, and why does it apply to websites in the USA?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union (EU) law that sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information from individuals in the EU. It applies to all organizations, regardless of location, that process personal data of individuals in the EU.

For websites in the USA, this means if they collect, store, or process data of EU citizens — whether they are in the EU or traveling anywhere in the world — they must comply with GDPR requirements, which include ensuring user consent, data protection, and privacy. That’s because the GDPR protects EU citizens no matter where they are in the world…even the USA.

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What is the CCPA and the newer CPRA?

The CCPA, and its successor, the CPRA, grant California residents new rights regarding their personal information and impose a variety of data protection responsibilities on certain businesses conducting business in California.

These laws give consumers the right to know about the personal information a business collects about them and how it is used and shared, the right to delete personal information collected, the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising their CCPA rights.

Do All Companies Need to Comply with the CCPA/CPRA?

While all companies need to comply with the GDPR and (generally speaking) other USA data privacy laws, not all companies need to comply with the CCPA/CPRA. That’s because the CCPA/CPRA has three thresholds. If your company meets or exceeds any one of them, then it needs to comply:

Your company has information on 100,000 or more individuals, households or devices in California.

Your company makes half or more of its revenue from selling consumer data.

Your company (including subsidiaries) has annual revenues of $25 million or more.

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We’re experts at building websites that will Rank High and Sell More to your target market, no matter what business you’re in. We’re also focused on Reducing your Risk online.

Curious? Let’s talk. Schedule your Free Mutual Evaluation Consultation now.

How do USA regulations differ from GDPR and CCPA?

Unlike the GDPR and the CCPA/CPRA, the USA does not have a federal-level equivalent…yet. Data privacy in the USA is governed by a patchwork of state-level laws, like the CCPA/CPRA, and sector-specific federal laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for healthcare information. This means the requirements can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another within the USA.

But as with the GDPR, the CCPA and other state laws are usually based on the location of the consumer, not the location of the business. That means that businesses all over the USA need to comply with the privacy laws in most states.

online shopper with laptop

What rights do consumers have under the GDPR and CCPA/CPRA?

Under the GDPR, individuals have rights such as access to their personal data, the right to be forgotten (data deletion), the right to data portability, and the right to be informed about data breaches. CCPA grants similar rights, including the right to know about the personal information a business collects about them and how it is used and shared, the right to delete personal information held by businesses, and the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with the GDPR and CCPA?

Non-compliance with GDPR can result in fines up to €20 million or 4% of the annual global revenue, whichever is higher. For CCPA/CPRA, penalties can include fines up to $7,500 per intentional violation and $2,500 per unintentional violation.

There can be additional penalties of up to $750 per breached data record. If you had only 1,000 customers or website visitors and their data were breached, that would be $750,000. There are also additional provisions for consumers to sue for damages in case of data breaches. Some penalties can lead to time in prison.

business owner holding head in his hands

Schedule Your Free Consultation

We’re experts at building websites that will Rank High and Sell More to your target market, no matter what business you’re in. We’re also focused on Reducing your Risk online.

Curious? Let’s talk. Schedule your Free Mutual Evaluation Consultation now.

What do these website data privacy regulations require?

While these data privacy laws extend deep into all parts of a company’s operations, the front end to much of that data is a company’s website. As a result, companies should ensure that their websites have
website privacy and security

How To Easily Implement Website Privacy Compliance Services

West Hills Web offers Website Privacy Compliance Services for its customers. We harden your website to defend against hacks and breaches, draft and publish clear privacy policies, install user consent systems, maintain your website and all the underlying software, and configure user rights management.

Ask us about our Website Privacy Compliance Services, along with our continuing website maintenance and online security services, to protect your website, your data and your company. Contact us online today, or call us at 818-592-6370.

Website Privacy Compliance Services