The Shifting Landscape of U.S. Data Privacy

Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States in 2025 marks a significant shift in the country’s political and regulatory landscape. With a Republican-controlled government, discussions around data privacy and compliance may take a new direction. While past efforts to establish a national data privacy framework have stalled, the next four years could bring renewed debates over federal oversight versus state-led initiatives.

Data privacy in the U.S. has long been a challenging and constantly moving landscape, shaped by sectoral statutes and regulations and a growing patchwork of state laws. Unlike the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the U.S. lacks a single, comprehensive federal privacy law. Businesses must instead navigate overlapping requirements, making compliance a moving target.

With Trump back in the White House, what’s next for data privacy? Will federal legislation finally take shape, or will organizations continue dealing with fragmented state-by-state regulations? More importantly, how should businesses prepare for potential shifts in compliance requirements?

Understanding the Current State of U.S. Data Privacy

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – Governs healthcare data privacy.
• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) – Protects children’s personal data online.
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) – Regulates financial data privacy.
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its amendment, the CPRA – The most robust state-level privacy law, influencing regulations in other states like Virginia, Colorado, and Connecticut.

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Tasked with enforcing unfair or deceptive trade practices, including misleading privacy policies and inadequate data protection.
• State Attorneys General – Play a growing role in enforcing state privacy laws.
• Private Lawsuits – Particularly in states like California, where individuals can take legal action for privacy violations.

What to Expect Under a Second Trump Presidency

1. Regulatory Rollbacks and Deregulation Priorities

Trump has historically focused on reducing regulations rather than imposing new ones. This likely means that federal privacy legislation will not be a priority, leaving businesses to deal with the status quo—a fragmented regulatory environment.

2. Emphasis on Big Tech Growth, Not Consumer Privacy

Discussions around technology regulation under Trump tend to focus on content moderation and anti-Big Tech sentiment rather than consumer data privacy. This means legislative efforts may target issues like free speech on social media rather than strengthening national privacy protections.

3. State-Led Privacy Initiatives Will Continue

With federal inaction, states will continue to pass their own privacy laws, making compliance increasingly challenging for businesses operating nationwide. Companies should expect new and updated privacy regulations in multiple states, each with unique consent, disclosure, and data-handling requirements.

4. FTC and State Attorneys General to Drive Enforcement

Even without new federal laws, it remains unclear if the FTC and state regulators will likely continue pursuing cases related to data privacy violations. Recent years have shown that enforcement remains active, particularly for businesses that fail to secure customer data or provide transparent privacy practices. However, enforcement priorities may change significantly.

How Businesses Can Stay Ahead 

Given the uncertainty surrounding federal regulations, markets will react which opens up opportunities for insightful companies who prove that they really care and can be trusted (which is currently in short supply). 

Businesses should invest in and take a proactive stance in managing data privacy compliance. One key strategy is to develop a unified compliance approach that aligns with the strictest state requirements. By doing so, companies can ensure broad compliance and minimise risk.

Beyond legal adherence, strong data governance practices are critical. Organisations should implement data minimisation strategies, encryption protocols, and detailed breach response plans to strengthen security and mitigate potential violations. By proactively embedding these practices into business operations, companies show consumers that they are serious about protecting their privacy.

How PrivIQ Can Help

No one is seeing any value in an expensive filing cabinet. Overly complex and costly tools are not the answer. PrivIQ helps you take care of your compliance so you can get on with running your business. 

PrivIQ simplifies compliance by offering businesses an integrated platform to track evolving laws, automate compliance tasks, and centralise privacy management.

Through its powerful AI-enhanced Data Privacy Compliance Management platform, PrivIQ ensures that organisations stay informed about legislative changes and updates. With real-time alerts and policy recommendations, businesses can quickly adapt to new regulatory requirements without overburdening internal resources.

PrivIQ’s integrated Risk Management Framework (RMF) with built-in assessment tools help organisations identify vulnerabilities in their data handling practices. With built-in compliance checks and mitigation strategies, businesses can reduce potential exposure to fines and reputational damage.

Conclusion: Privacy Compliance as a Business Imperative

A second Trump presidency is unlikely to bring sweeping federal privacy reforms, leaving businesses to navigate a complex and ever-evolving regulatory landscape. However, privacy compliance is no longer just a legal necessity—it’s a strategic advantage.

Organisations that embrace proactive compliance measures will not only avoid regulatory pitfalls but also gain a competitive edge in earning customer trust. PrivIQ empowers businesses to stay ahead of these changes, ensuring they remain compliant and resilient in an unpredictable regulatory environment.

If you want to find out how PrivIQ can help your organisation improve data privacy management, Get in touch.