This week, Delaware Governor John Carney signed the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act into law. The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2025, and a public outreach effort will begin by July 1, 2024. The outreach effort will inform Delaware consumers of their rights under the new law and describe businesses’ obligations. Delaware is yet another state to follow the trend of consumer privacy bills after the passing of the California Consumer Privacy Act in 2018.

The law applies to companies doing business in Delaware that control or process the personal data of 35,000 or more Delaware consumers, or, if the business derives more than 20 percent of its gross annual revenue from the sale of personal data, the threshold drops down to the processing or controlling of only 10,000 Delaware consumers. The Delaware Department of Justice intends to hire more staff to assist in educating the public about this new law and enforcing the legislation. To read the full text of the bill, click here.

Photo of Kathryn Rattigan Kathryn Rattigan

Kathryn Rattigan is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Data Privacy+ Cybersecurity Team. She concentrates her practice on privacy and security compliance under both state and federal regulations and advising clients on website and mobile app privacy and security…

Kathryn Rattigan is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Data Privacy+ Cybersecurity Team. She concentrates her practice on privacy and security compliance under both state and federal regulations and advising clients on website and mobile app privacy and security compliance. Kathryn helps clients review, revise and implement necessary policies and procedures under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). She also provides clients with the information needed to effectively and efficiently handle potential and confirmed data breaches while providing insight into federal regulations and requirements for notification and an assessment under state breach notification laws. Prior to joining the firm, Kathryn was an associate at Nixon Peabody. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Roger Williams University School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Stonehill College. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.