Oct 1, 2019 - Technology

Nevada privacy law takes effect

California's pending European-style digital privacy law will likely be the most impactful in the country, but it won't be the first. Nevada's law takes effect Tuesday.

Why it matters: With no superseding federal law, we're at the start of, potentially, 50 different privacy laws covering each of the 50 states — all interacting, potentially conflicting, and affecting business and consumer peace of mind for years to come.

Details: Nevada's new law requires companies to allow users to opt out of the sale of their information, and it differs from California's law in key ways:

  • "California is this sweeping legislation that captures pretty much every business that operates in California," Kim Phan, an attorney with Ballard Spahr, said. "Nevada is very narrowly tailored."
  • Nevada's law only applies to "internet websites or online services."
  • Unlike California, Nevada consumers have no right to take action against a company under the new rule — only the state can do that.
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