In 2020, the state of Washington introduced the Washington Privacy Act (WPA), which went into effect in 2021. The WPA is a privacy or data protection law that gives consumers various rights regarding their personal data. Based on this act, companies must protect six consumer rights, including the right to:
In addition to these consumer rights, WPA regulates facial recognition services. If a company uses facial recognition, there must be a conspicuous-placed notice on the premises stating that facial recognition is being used and any consumer who enters the premises has consented to its use. The act also prohibits the use of facial recognition technology for public surveillance of specific individuals with certain exceptions.
Companies located in Washington or those companies that provide products or services intentionally targeted to Washington residents who meet threshold requirements must comply with these laws. Small companies that do not meet the threshold requirements of a) controlling or processing personal data of 100,000 consumers, or (b) derives fifty percent of gross revenue from the sale of personal data and controls or processes personal data of at least 25,000 consumers are exempt.
Companies in violation of this act are subjected to a civil penalty of no more than $7500 for each intentional violation and $2500 for each other violation. If a company receives a notice of suspected noncompliance for consumer rights, transparency obligations, privacy risk assessments, and/or contractual commitments of deidentified data, they are only in violation if they fail to remedy the violation within thirty days.
At Whitcomb, Selinsky, P.C., we can help you with a violation or your data privacy compliance. If you have received a notice, our dedicated legal team of data/cybersecurity/privacy law professionals will review the notice, propose a corrective action plan, and work with the Attorney General as needed. We will also assess your current data privacy procedures and recommend changes to ensure CPA compliance. For questions on your data privacy compliance needs, we will review your current data privacy practices and recommend additional practices to ensure CPA compliance.
If you need legal help with Washington Privacy Laws, call us at (303)-534-1958 or fill out the form below. We are here to help you today.
If you own a business and are actively seeking a government contract or need assistance maintaining an existing government contract, it is essential to have an experienced government procurement attorney who can assist you throughout the process. Government procurement can involve many different types of contracts for goods or services from contractors. Whether you are just getting started in your business and want to learn more about government procurement, or if you need assistance with the complex formal legal process of government procurement and securing a contract, one of our experienced government procurement attorneys can assist you.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with Whitcomb, Selinsky, PC to learn more about the services our firm provides in Colorado, Northern Virginia (just outside Washington, D.C.), and other areas. We are committed to providing experienced and tailored representation to small- and medium-sized business owners.
Our attorneys pride themselves on finishing the job in less time than anticipated and responding to client communications within 24 hours of receiving a call, email, or text. Our team also stays current on the changes in government contracting law, including the regulations and relevant case law. Whitcomb, Selinsky, PC brings the skills, tactical decision making, and discipline each member of our team has learned through professional experiences representing each of our clients — business and individuals alike. We measure our success by the success of our clients. Give us an opportunity to serve you here at Whitcomb, Selinsky, PC. The experienced government procurement attorneys at our firm can begin working with your business today. Contact Whitcomb, Selinsky, PC online or call our offices at 866-476-4558 for more information.
Whitcomb, Selinsky, PC is a full-service law firm serving clients’ diverse legal needs. Our focus is on helping people in their interactions with federal, state, and local governments.