Rhode Island Privacy & Security Compliance Guide
🚨 Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Act (DTPPA) - Effective January 1, 2026 (ACTIVE)
January 1, 2026 (ACTIVE)
ACTIVE ENFORCEMENT - Covers 35,000+ RI residents OR 10,000+ with 20% revenue from data sales. NO CURE PERIOD - immediate penalties for violations.
🚨 RHODE ISLAND: STRICTEST STATE PRIVACY LAW - NO CURE PERIOD
CRITICAL ALERT: Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Act went live January 1, 2026 with ZERO cure period. Attorney General can impose immediate penalties for violations.
Why DTPPA is Strictest State Law:
• ❌ NO CURE PERIOD: Unlike other states (30-60 day cure), RI AG can fine immediately
• 💰 $10,000 PER VIOLATION: Higher than most states ($7,500 typical)
• 📉 LOWEST THRESHOLD: 35K residents (vs 100K in most states)
• 🎯 EASY TO TRIGGER: Small regional businesses hit threshold quickly
Who Must Comply:
• Businesses processing 35,000+ Rhode Island residents' data
• OR processing 10,000+ residents with 20%+ revenue from data sales
• Applies regardless of physical presence (e-commerce, SaaS, apps)
DTPPA Requirements:
• Consumer Rights: Access, deletion, correction, portability, opt-out of sales/targeted ads
• Privacy Policy: Clear, conspicuous notice required
• Sensitive Data Consent: Opt-in for health, biometric, genetic, precise geolocation data
• Data Protection Assessments: Required for high-risk processing
• Data Broker Registration: Annual registration and fee required
Small State, Big Impact: With only 1.1M population, 35K threshold means regional businesses with approximately 3% market penetration must comply. This is significantly lower than other states.
Healthcare & Universities:
• Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University medical research
• Patient portal data, research participant information
• HIPAA compliance does not exempt from DTPPA
Tourism & Hospitality: Newport tourism businesses, coastal resort bookings, restaurant reservations all process visitor data requiring DTPPA compliance.
Immediate Enforcement Risk: Rhode Island AG announced DTPPA enforcement readiness on Day 1. First enforcement actions expected within 30-60 days targeting businesses with: (1) No privacy policy, (2) No opt-out mechanism, (3) Selling data without disclosure. No warnings, no cure period - just $10K penalties.
Rhode Island by the Numbers
1.1 million
Population
25,000+
Businesses Affected
18
Recent Data Breaches
$$10,000 per violation (NO CURE PERIOD)
Per Violation Fine
Who Must Comply in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Act (DTPPA) applies to businesses that:
- Process personal data of Rhode Island residents
- Meet revenue or data volume thresholds
- Sell products/services to Rhode Island consumers
- Have physical or digital presence in Rhode Island
Rhode Island-Specific Requirements
DTPPA effective Jan 1, 2026 is strictest state privacy law with no cure period, $10,000 per violation penalties, and lowest applicability threshold (35K residents). Includes consumer rights, sensitive data protections, and data broker registration.
Recent Rhode Island Privacy & Security Cases
Rhode Island Hospital breach (2024) - Patient data
Brown University incident (2023) - Research records
DTPPA enforcement expected immediately - AG prepared for Jan 1 launch
No cure period means immediate fines for violations
Major Rhode Island Business Centers
Key cities where privacy compliance is critical for business success:
- Providence
- Warwick
- Cranston
- Pawtucket
- East Providence
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