In recognition of National Data Privacy Day on January 28, 2025, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings has advised residents to take measures to safeguard their data privacy. The newly enacted Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act (DPDPA), effective from January 1, 2025, offers increased protections for the state's citizens.
"Delawareans no longer have to accept the unlimited collection of personal data about themselves or their children by businesses," stated AG Jennings. "Thanks to the new Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act, Delawareans have new tools at their disposal and my office has new authority to better protect Delawareans’ data privacy."
The DPDPA provides consumers with significant rights concerning personal data protection. Residents can learn more about these rights at privacy.delaware.gov.
AG Jennings provided several recommendations for enhancing data privacy:
- Businesses must now obtain permission before using sensitive data such as precise location, genetic or biometric information, ethnic origin, and mental and health conditions. If unnecessary, individuals should refuse tracking.
- Mobile phone users are encouraged to review privacy settings and disable location tracking if not needed by an app.
- Social media accounts should be set to private to prevent scammers from accessing personal information through public profiles.
- Individuals can request that data brokers delete any stored profiles under the DPDPA.
- Residents are urged to exercise their DPDPA rights by accessing, correcting, or deleting personal data held by businesses they no longer engage with.
- The act also empowers individuals to opt out of having their information sold by businesses via a "Do not sell my information" option found on websites.
- Targeted advertising can be turned off on major platforms under the provisions of the DPDPA.
Parents are also granted rights under the act to make access requests on behalf of their children.
For any concerns regarding a business's data privacy practices or unresolved complaints, residents are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice’s privacy team at privacy@delaware.gov.