Washington Privacy Act (WPA)
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The Washington Privacy Act establishes comprehensive privacy rights for Washington residents and obligations for businesses processing personal data.
Key Facts
- Expected to be enacted in 2024
- Enforced by Washington State Attorney General
- Includes consumer rights and business obligations
Key Principles
Consumer Rights
Comprehensive rights granted to Washington residents regarding their personal data.
Requirements
- Right to access
- Right to correction
- Right to deletion
- Right to data portability
- Right to opt-out
Examples
- Access request procedures
- Correction mechanisms
- Deletion protocols
- Data portability tools
Transparency
Organizations must be transparent about their data processing activities.
Requirements
- Clear privacy notices
- Processing purpose disclosure
- Data sharing information
- Rights notification
- Regular updates
Examples
- Privacy policies
- Data processing notices
- Rights information
- Communication records
Data Minimization
Collection and processing of personal data must be limited to what is necessary.
Requirements
- Assess data necessity
- Limit collection scope
- Regular data reviews
- Deletion procedures
- Documentation of necessity
Examples
- Data collection forms
- Necessity assessments
- Deletion schedules
- Review procedures
Compliance Requirements
Data Protection Assessment
Requirements for conducting data protection assessments for high-risk processing.
Implementation Steps
- Identify high-risk processing
- Conduct assessment
- Document findings
- Implement safeguards
- Regular reviews
Required Documentation
- Assessment reports
- Risk evaluations
- Mitigation plans
- Review records
- Implementation logs
Opt-Out Mechanisms
Implementation of mechanisms for consumers to opt out of data processing.
Implementation Steps
- Implement opt-out systems
- Provide clear instructions
- Process opt-outs promptly
- Maintain records
- Regular testing
Required Documentation
- Opt-out procedures
- Technical documentation
- Processing records
- Testing logs
- Maintenance records
Consumer Request Handling
Procedures for handling and responding to consumer rights requests.
Implementation Steps
- Establish request procedures
- Implement verification methods
- Set response timelines
- Train staff
- Document responses
Required Documentation
- Request procedures
- Verification methods
- Response templates
- Training materials
- Request logs
Enforcement & Penalties
Attorney General Enforcement
The Washington State Attorney General has exclusive authority to enforce the WPA.
Penalty Categories
Example Cases
Cure Period
Organizations have 30 days to cure violations after notification.