US states issued a record $3.45 billion in privacy fines last year, surpassing the total amount collected over the previous five years combined. With no comprehensive federal privacy law in place, states like California, along with a growing coalition, are ramping up enforcement across sectors including technology, automotive, consumer goods, and small-to-medium businesses.
The surge reflects a broader trend of state-level regulators taking aggressive action to protect consumer data, leveraging laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Companies operating in multiple states face increased scrutiny and potential penalties for non-compliance.