Compliance

On April 16, 2026, Governor Kay Ivey signed into law the Alabama Personal Data Protection Act (“APDPA”) after a unanimous vote in favor from both chambers of the Alabama legislature.  The APDPA is the 22nd state consumer privacy law overall (counting Florida) and the second one enacted in 2026, following enactment of Oklahoma’s privacy law in March (summarized here).

We highlight key features of the APDPA below.  (We also offer a subscription service that offers details and comparisons (by topic) of state consumer privacy laws (“CPLs”).)

Continue Reading The “Heart of Dixie” Embraces Consumer Privacy

Recently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, in a unanimous decision, prevented plaintiffs from imposing massive liability on a company accused of violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) and held that Illinois’ 2024 amendment decreasing BIPA damages applies retroactively.

Continue Reading Seventh Circuit Holds Amendment Decreasing BIPA Exposure Applies Retroactively

The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA) is, as of April 1 of this year, now enforceable (subject to a potential cure opportunity until April 1, 2027).  MODPA is amongst the strictest state consumer privacy laws (CPLs), and outright bans the sale of sensitive personal data, including precise geolocation data, as well as targeted advertising

On March 31, 2026, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) released its much-anticipated Exposure Draft of the Privacy (Children’s Online Privacy) Code (Draft Code). It introduces a number of novel concepts in addition to drawing from the UK Age-Appropriate Design Code (UK AADC), in an effort to “uplift privacy practices across entities more broadly” and keep children’s privacy safe in Australia.  This posts breaks down how it could impact businesses.

Continue Reading Australia’s Exposure Draft Children’s Online Privacy Code – What this could mean for your business?

On March 20, 2026, Oklahoma Governor Stitt signed the first new comprehensive state privacy law of 2026. The “Act relating to data privacy” is in force on January 1, 2027. In this post, we compare the new Oklahoma privacy law to the other 20 state consumer privacy laws already in force below.

Continue Reading Oklahoma’s New Privacy Law Sweeps In

Following unanimous votes by the California legislature and signature by the Governor, California enacted an Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA) in September 2022 (codified at CA Civil Code Section 1798.99.28-32), as a measure purportedly “aimed at protecting the wellbeing, data, and privacy of children [under 18] using online platforms.” Industry group NetChoice soon turned to federal court and sought an injunction seeking to prevent the law from being enforced on the grounds, among others, that it violates the First Amendment and the dormant Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution and is preempted by other federal statutes addressing online child safety, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Continue Reading The Future of the CA Age-Appropriate Design Code Act: What Remains, What’s Still Open to be Contested, and What Companies Must Consider for Minors’ Online Safety

In its press release relating to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgment of 10 February 2026 in Case C-97/23 P, the CJEU has confirmed that the action brought by an organization against a Binding Decision of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) is admissible.

With this decision, the CJEU has clarified that organizations have a right of direct appeal against binding decisions of the EDPB on which a national authority’s decision against them is based.

Continue Reading EDPB Binding Decisions Can Be Challenged Directly by Organizations Before EU Courts

Privacy compliance has entered a new phase—one defined not only by high-profile enforcement actions but by the growing expectation that organizations implement and maintain mature information governance programs capable of validating true, system-level technical compliance rather than merely projecting the appearance of it.  A spate of recent California enforcement actions makes clear that companies must be prepared to validate how privacy control’s function, including across systems, platforms, and data flows, making thoughtful, system-oriented self-assessment an increasingly important tool for aligning policy commitments with operational reality—before regulators do it for them.  SPB helps client’s self-access, identify gaps and remediate issues under the cloak of privilege.

Continue Reading CalPrivacy Update: Shifting to Structural Compliance and Auditing

A recording is now available for “California and Beyond: HR Data Risk Issues for Employers,” a highly relevant webinar covering the rapidly shifting world of HR data, privacy obligations, and AI regulation. Presented by Squire Patton Boggs Partners Alan Friel and Michael Kelly, and Associate Sam Kim, this session will give employers the clarity they need as new rules take effect and enforcement ramps up.

Continue Reading A Timely Look at HR Data and AI Regulation Trends: Webinar Recording Available