Harmonizing Privacy Regulations in the United States By: Kim Boyle CIPM, CIPP/ US and Ross Federgreen FIP, CIPM, CIPP/ US, G, E, C Throughout 2021, congressional lawmakers have introduced multiple Bills focused on data privacy. This is an annual congressional exercise going back at least 15 years where it has been recognized that an overarching set of common regulations and standards are needed for compliance and clarity. The underlying reason for this is to harmonize and align U.S. Privacy regulations so that compliance is doable. In the current situation, each of the 50 states have their own regulations as well as there being nearly two dozen various Federal regulations. It is important to understand that each of these regulations place great emphasis on the requirement for an independent Data Privacy Officer (DPO). Although the business entity may have an in-house DPO, it is the clear intent of these pending regulations to make this function independent.
_________________________ 14
iG Journal 2021 Issue 3
