As of January 1, 2025, Connecticut has implemented significant enhancements to its data privacy regulations, giving residents greater control over their personal information. These changes, stemming from the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), introduce new rights and mechanisms for consumers, particularly concerning the use of their data for targeted advertising and sales.
Key Provisions Effective January 1, 2025:
Mandatory Recognition of Opt-Out Preference Signals:
- Global Privacy Control (GPC): Connecticut now requires many businesses to honor opt-out preference signals sent by consumers through tools like the Global Privacy Control. This means that when a consumer uses a browser or extension equipped with GPC, their preference to opt out of data sales and targeted advertising is automatically communicated to all visited websites.
Consumer Rights:
- Right to Opt-Out: Consumers can opt out of the processing of their personal data for targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, or profiling in furtherance of decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects.
- Right to Access: Individuals have the right to confirm whether a controller is processing their personal data and to access such data.
- Right to Correct: Consumers can request corrections to inaccuracies in their personal data.
- Right to Delete: Individuals have the right to request the deletion of personal data provided by or obtained about them.
- Right to Data Portability: Consumers can obtain a copy of their personal data in a portable and readily usable format.
Business Obligations:
- Data Minimization: Businesses must limit the collection of personal data to what is adequate, relevant, and reasonably necessary for the disclosed purposes.
- Purpose Specification: Controllers are required to disclose the purposes for which personal data is processed and ensure that consent is obtained for any processing beyond the disclosed purposes.
- Data Security: Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical data security practices must be implemented to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of personal data.
- Non-Discrimination: Businesses cannot discriminate against consumers for exercising their rights under the CTDPA.
Implications for New Milford Residents:
For residents of New Milford, these enhanced privacy measures mean greater autonomy over personal data shared online. By utilizing tools like the Global Privacy Control, individuals can seamlessly communicate their privacy preferences across all websites, reducing the need to manage settings on a site-by-site basis. This development is particularly significant in an era where digital interactions are integral to daily life.
About Global Privacy Control (GPC):
Global Privacy Control is a browser setting or extension that signals to websites a user’s preference to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal data. By enabling GPC, consumers can automate their opt-out requests, ensuring a consistent application of their privacy choices across the internet. More information about GPC and how to enable it can be found on their official website.
Next Steps for Consumers:
- Enable GPC: Consider installing a browser extension or using a browser that supports Global Privacy Control to automate your opt-out preferences.
- Stay Informed: Regularly review privacy policies of the websites and services you use to understand how your data is being utilized.
- Exercise Your Rights: Be proactive in exercising your data privacy rights by making use of the provisions provided under the CTDPA.
These advancements in Connecticut’s data privacy laws reflect a growing recognition of the importance of personal data protection. By staying informed and utilizing available tools, New Milford residents can take full advantage of these new rights to safeguard their personal information.