The growing significance of data privacy issues cannot be understated, especially in the rising tide of personal information collection by both public and private entities. As such, Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) have assumed substantial importance as practical means for evaluating initiatives involving personal data to ensure compliance with various legal requirements. However, it is worth noting that mandatory PIA obligations have not always extended to all companies – particularly those with an exclusively U.S. presence.
Among the exceptions to this general rule were U.S. federal government agencies and public sector companies. These organizations have had an imposed PIA requirement under the eGovernment Act of 2002. This tends to suggest a demarcation line between sectors seen as privy to more robust privacy protection due to their governmental status.
As with any compliance measure, understanding PIAs and DPIAs can be a complex task. To help simplify these processes, legal expert site JD Supra recently published a detailed FAQ on PIAs in the U.S, shedding light on state privacy impact assessment requirements. This piece offers a comprehensive insight into various aspects of the matter, ranging from the basics of PIAs and DPIAs, instances in which they are required, and how they help in maintaining compliance with various federal and state regulations.
With the growing interplay of technology and data privacy, achieving and maintaining legal compliance is not just about understanding the law anymore; it’s also about accuracy in assessing impact and application. As such, corporations and law firms would benefit from this guide and should seek to familiarize themselves with the nuances of PIAs and DPIAs to effectively navigate this complex landscape.