Montana Privacy & Security Compliance Guide
🚨 Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA) - Effective January 1, 2025
January 1, 2025
Applies to businesses processing 50,000+ Montana consumers' data
🏔️ MONTANA: LOWEST THRESHOLD PRIVACY LAW
50,000 Consumer Threshold: Montana's MCDPA has the lowest applicability threshold of any comprehensive state privacy law - affects even small regional businesses.
Agricultural Data Focus:
• Ranch management software
• Livestock tracking systems
• Crop yield data platforms
• Farm equipment telemetry
Tourism Industry Impact: Yellowstone/Glacier National Park area businesses handling visitor data must comply. Outdoor recreation apps, hunting/fishing licenses particularly affected.
Rural Broadband Challenge: Limited internet infrastructure makes compliance harder for rural businesses. AG providing extended cure periods for good-faith efforts in underserved areas.
Montana by the Numbers
1.1 million
Population
25,000+
Businesses Affected
23
Recent Data Breaches
$$10,000 per violation
Per Violation Fine
Who Must Comply in Montana?
Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA) applies to businesses that:
- Process personal data of Montana residents
- Meet revenue or data volume thresholds
- Sell products/services to Montana consumers
- Have physical or digital presence in Montana
Montana-Specific Requirements
MCDPA has lowest threshold (50,000 consumers) of any state privacy law. Includes agricultural data protections and rural broadband considerations.
Recent Montana Privacy & Security Cases
Montana State University breach (2023) - 120,000 affected
Billings Clinic cyberattack (2024) - Patient data exposed
Agricultural co-op ransomware (2024) - Farmer data compromised
Major Montana Business Centers
Key cities where privacy compliance is critical for business success:
- Billings
- Missoula
- Great Falls
- Bozeman
- Butte
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