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TDPSA Privacy Policy

TDPSA Privacy Policy

1 day ago
João Bruno Soares
1 minute

Privacy Policy & TDPSA: Understanding the Key Changes

The TDPSA Privacy Policy marks a significant shift in how businesses operating in Texas must handle personal data.

The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) brings the state in line with broader U.S. data protection trends, setting clear standards for transparency, consumer rights, and organizational responsibilities.

If your company targets consumers in Texas, adapting to this new framework is no longer optional it’s essential.

One of the most critical updates is the emphasis on consumer consent and data transparency.

Under the TDPSA, businesses must clearly disclose what personal data they collect, how it’s used, and with whom it’s shared. Privacy policies can no longer be buried in legal jargon. Instead, they must be clear, accessible, and easy to understand, empowering users to make informed decisions about their data.

The act also introduces strict requirements for privacy policy content and availability.

Organizations are required to maintain an up-to-date privacy notice, easily accessible on their websites and digital services. These policies must reflect current data practices and outline consumer rights under the TDPSA.

Failure to comply can lead to regulatory action by the Texas Attorney General, making proactive compliance a business priority.

Overview of TDPSA and Privacy Policy Requirements

The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) introduces a comprehensive set of rules that reshape how businesses must craft and maintain their privacy policies.

If you process the personal data of Texas residents and meet the applicability thresholds, the TDPSA applies to you regardless of whether your business is physically located in Texas. This means that your privacy policy must be compliant, clear, and up-to-date.

According to the TDPSA Privacy Policy requirements, companies must disclose specific information to consumers. This includes what categories of personal data are collected, the purpose for each category, the types of third parties with whom data is shared, and whether the data is sold.

You must also explain how users can exercise their privacy rights, such as opting out of data sales or targeted advertising.

These details must be presented in a way that is easily accessible and understandable for the average consumer.

Importantly, the TDPSA sets expectations for regular policy reviews and updates. Businesses are expected to revise their privacy policies as their data practices change.

This includes updates to third-party vendors, data processing purposes, or user rights mechanisms. In other words, a one-time policy is no longer enough you need an active, evolving document that reflects your real-time data operations.

What is the TDPSA?

The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) is a state-level law that establishes consumer privacy rights and sets clear obligations for businesses that process personal data in Texas.

Enacted to strengthen data privacy in one of the largest U.S. states, the TDPSA follows a growing national trend of state-specific privacy laws, similar to California's CCPA and Virginia's VCDPA. It reflects a shift toward giving individuals more control over how their personal information is collected, shared, and used.

The TDPSA Privacy Policy requirements are part of a larger framework that includes rules on data minimization, consent, and consumer access rights.

For example, the law gives Texas residents the right to know what data is collected about them, to request corrections or deletions, and to opt out of data sales and targeted advertising.

These rights must be clearly communicated through your company’s privacy policy, which serves as a key compliance tool.

Unlike some federal regulations that apply broadly, the TDPSA specifically targets companies that process the data of over 100,000 Texas consumers or derive a certain percentage of revenue from selling personal data.

This scope means that even mid-sized businesses must pay close attention to compliance. Whether you're a tech startup or an e-commerce brand, understanding what the TDPSA requires and reflecting that in your privacy policy is critical to building trust and avoiding legal risk.

Key Privacy Policy Requirements Under TDPSA

The TDPSA Privacy Policy mandates that businesses provide** detailed, transparent, and user-friendly** information about their data practices.

This includes clearly stating what categories of personal data are collected, such as names, email addresses, geolocation data, or online behavior.

In addition, the policy must describe the purposes for which each category of data is used whether for personalization, analytics, advertising, or operational needs.

Another requirement under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act is disclosing whether personal data is shared with third parties and, if so, the categories of those parties.

If your business sells personal data or uses it for targeted advertising, the privacy policy must explicitly state this. Consumers also need to be informed about their rights, including the ability to opt out of data sales, request data deletion, or access their personal data.

The TDPSA emphasizes that these options must be easy to locate and understand within the privacy notice.

Finally, your privacy policy must include a description of the process for submitting consumer requests.

This includes specifying how users can verify their identity and how long the business has to respond. You’re also required to include a contact method, such as an email address or web form, dedicated to privacy inquiries.

Ignoring these requirements may lead to enforcement actions by the Texas Attorney General, so it’s critical to keep your policy both compliant and consumer-friendly.

Consent and Sensitive Data Handling Under TDPSA

Under the TDPSA Privacy Policy, one of the most critical components is the handling of consumer consent, particularly when it comes to sensitive data.

The law explicitly requires that businesses obtain informed consent from consumers before collecting or processing sensitive information.

Sensitive data can include financial details, medical records, and biometric data information that requires a higher level of protection due to its private nature.

The TDPSA mandates that consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous.

This means that your privacy policy should outline clear and straightforward methods for obtaining consent, whether it's through opt-in checkboxes, consent banners, or explicit agreement forms.

It’s not enough to have pre-checked boxes or vague consent clauses. Businesses must make it easy for users to choose which data they agree to share and for what purposes.

Additionally, the TDPSA places extra responsibility on companies that process sensitive data. They must provide users with a clear explanation of why sensitive data is needed and how it will be protected.

Any processing of such data without proper consent or without meeting the law's stringent requirements could lead to significant penalties.

Companies are also required to implement extra safeguards to protect sensitive data, such as encryption or access restrictions, ensuring it’s only accessible to authorized personnel.

Consent Necessary to Process Sensitive Data Under TDPSA

Under the TDPSA Privacy Policy, obtaining explicit consent is a key requirement when handling sensitive data.

Sensitive data includes categories such as health information, financial details, biometric data, and social security numbers, which require a higher level of protection due to their sensitive nature.

The law makes it clear that businesses must obtain clear, informed consent from consumers before collecting or processing any sensitive data.

To comply with the TDPSA, businesses must not only inform users about what sensitive data they are collecting, but also why it is being collected and how it will be used.

For instance, if you're collecting health data for a health-related service or biometric data for security purposes, this must be transparently stated in your privacy policy.

Furthermore, consent must be given freely it cannot be coerced or tied to other unrelated services.

Users should have the option to withdraw consent at any time, with no consequences to their access to services.

The TDPSA also requires businesses to maintain clear documentation of when and how consent was obtained.

This can include tracking opt-in dates or saving logs of consent forms. Without this documentation, businesses may face challenges proving compliance in case of an audit or legal dispute.

Additionally, if sensitive data is being shared with third parties, businesses must provide consumers with the ability to opt-out or manage these third-party data sharing preferences easily.

Consumer Rights and Business Obligations with TDPSA

The TDPSA Privacy Policy grants Texas residents several important consumer rights over their personal data. These rights include the ability to access, correct, and delete personal information collected by businesses.

The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) mandates that businesses provide clear, easy-to-follow processes for consumers to exercise these rights.

As part of their obligations, companies must not only inform users about these rights but also make it easy for them to submit requests.

One key right under the TDPSA is the right to access. Consumers have the ability to request copies of the personal data that businesses hold about them. This request must be honored within a reasonable time frame typically within 45 days.

Another important right is the right to delete. If a consumer requests the deletion of their data, and it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, businesses must comply.

However, businesses are allowed to retain certain data for legal or operational purposes, such as complying with a legal obligation or fulfilling contractual agreements.

In addition to consumer rights, the TDPSA imposes strict business obligations. Companies must ensure that their privacy policies reflect all consumer rights under the act and clearly explain how these rights can be exercised.

Additionally, businesses must establish secure processes for handling consumer requests, such as verifying the identity of individuals making requests to ensure data is not inadvertently shared with unauthorized parties.

Failure to comply with consumer rights can result in significant penalties and damage to a company's reputation.

What Are the Rights of Consumers Under TDPSA?

The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) grants consumers in Texas several key data privacy rights to ensure greater control over their personal information.

Understanding these rights is essential for both businesses and consumers, as it helps establish transparency and trust. Here’s a breakdown of the key consumer rights under the

TDPSA Privacy Policy:

1. Right to Access

Consumers have the right to access their personal data.

This means they can request businesses to disclose what personal data they hold about them, how it was collected, and the purposes for which it is being used.

This right ensures transparency and helps consumers understand exactly what information businesses are using.

2. Right to Correction

The right to correction allows consumers to request corrections to inaccurate or outdated personal data.

If the data a company holds about a consumer is wrong or incomplete, the consumer can ask for it to be updated.

This ensures that consumers' personal information remains accurate and up to date.

3. Right to Deletion

Consumers also have the right to request the deletion of their personal data.

If the information is no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected, or if the consumer withdraws consent, businesses must delete the data unless it’s required for legal or contractual reasons.

This gives consumers control over their data and how long it remains in company databases.

4. Right to Opt-Out of Sales and Targeted Advertising

Under the TDPSA Privacy Policy, consumers can opt-out of the sale of their personal data or the use of their data for targeted advertising.

This means that businesses must offer a clear and accessible way for consumers to opt-out, preventing their data from being used for purposes they don’t consent to.

5. Right to Non-Discrimination

Consumers are protected from discrimination if they exercise their privacy rights.

The TDPSA ensures that businesses cannot discriminate against consumers by offering them less favorable terms or denying them services for exercising their rights, such as opting out of data collection or deleting their data.

Privacy Notice Requirements

Under the TDPSA Privacy Policy, businesses are required to maintain a clear and accessible privacy notice that informs consumers about their data collection and usage practices.

This notice serves as a transparency tool, ensuring that consumers understand how their personal data is handled.

The TDPSA outlines specific requirements for what must be included in the privacy notice:

1. Clear Description of Data Collection Practices

The privacy notice must provide a detailed explanation of the categories of personal data being collected. This includes information such as names, addresses, email addresses, and any other data collected through websites, apps, or services.

Businesses must also clearly state the purposes for which this data is being used, whether it’s for improving services, personalization, marketing, or other operational needs.

2. Third-Party Data Sharing

Another critical requirement under the TDPSA Privacy Policy is the disclosure of any third-party data sharing. Businesses must list the types of third parties with whom data may be shared, including advertisers, service providers, or data processors.

This gives consumers a clear understanding of who has access to their data and why. If the business sells personal data or shares it for targeted advertising purposes, this must be explicitly stated.

3. Consumer Rights and Mechanisms

The privacy notice must outline the consumer’s rights under the TDPSA, such as the right to access, correct, delete, and opt-out of data sales.

It must also explain how consumers can exercise these rights.

Businesses are required to provide an easily accessible method for submitting data requests, such as an email address or a web form.

4. Data Retention Periods

Businesses must inform consumers of the data retention periods for personal data.

This includes how long data will be kept and the criteria used to determine retention periods.

If the data is no longer needed, businesses must outline the procedures for data deletion, ensuring compliance with consumer rights.

5. Security Measures The privacy notice must include information on the security measures in place to protect consumers’ personal data.

This includes details on encryption, access controls, and any other safeguards to prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.

6. Regular Updates

Finally, businesses are required to regularly update their privacy notice to reflect any changes in data practices or legal obligations. It should be easy for consumers to access the most recent version, ensuring ongoing compliance with the TDPSA.

How Will the TDPSA Be Enforced?

The TDPSA Privacy Policy comes with clear enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with its privacy requirements.

Businesses that fail to adhere to the law’s provisions face significant penalties, and non-compliance can lead to both legal and reputational damage.

Let’s explore the key aspects of TDPSA enforcement:

1. Role of the Texas Attorney General

The Texas Attorney General (AG) is responsible for enforcing the TDPSA.

If a business is found to be in violation of the law, the AG can take legal action. This can include issuing warnings, seeking corrective measures, and even pursuing civil penalties. Businesses are given a 30-day cure period to address any violations before formal enforcement actions are taken.

This allows companies to fix any issues without facing immediate legal consequences, but failure to resolve the matter could lead to further legal action.

2. Civil Penalties for Non-Compliance

Businesses found to be in violation of the TDPSA Privacy Policy** can face civil penalties.

The penalties can range from $7,500 per violation, with each instance of non-compliance potentially being considered a separate violation.

For example, if a company fails to update its privacy notice or fails to offer a consumer their rights under the TDPSA, each failure could incur a penalty.

In cases of knowing violations, where a business intentionally ignores the law or acts with disregard for consumer rights, the penalties can be even higher.

3. Consumer-Led Enforcement

**In addition to enforcement by the Attorney General, the TDPSA also allows consumers to seek remedies for violations.

While the law primarily gives enforcement power to the AG, consumers have the ability to file complaints directly with the Attorney General’s office.

This provides consumers with a way to hold businesses accountable, especially if they believe their privacy rights under the TDPSA have been violated.

4. Corrective Actions and Compliance Plans

If a company is found to be non-compliant, the Texas Attorney General may require the business to take corrective actions.

This can include updating the privacy policy, improving consumer consent mechanisms, or implementing stricter data security measures.

Businesses may also be required to submit a compliance plan outlining how they intend to meet the law's requirements moving forward.

5. Reputational Damage

While the TDPSA penalties are financially significant, the reputational damage caused by non-compliance can be just as costly.

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of their privacy rights, and businesses that fail to protect personal data or comply with the law may face loss of consumer trust.

This can lead to a loss of customers, reduced brand loyalty, and negative media attention.

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