Washington Privacy & Security Compliance Guide

🚨 Facial Recognition Services Act + breach notification + pending comprehensive privacy law - Effective Facial recognition: 2021, comprehensive law pending

Facial recognition: 2021, comprehensive law pending

Strictest facial recognition law, comprehensive privacy law expected 2025

🌲 WASHINGTON: TECH SECTOR PRIVACY LEADERSHIP

Tech Giants Set Standards: Amazon, Microsoft headquarters drive de facto GDPR compliance across industries. Early adopters of comprehensive privacy practices ahead of state law.

Facial Recognition Pioneer:
• Strictest government facial recognition restrictions
• Private sector consent requirements
• Retail surveillance limitations
• Airport security exemptions

Healthcare Innovation Hub: Fred Hutch Cancer Research, UW Medicine, Swedish Health processing patient data with cutting-edge privacy protections.

Aerospace & Defense: Boeing headquarters, military contractors balance federal security requirements with Washington's progressive privacy approach.

Washington by the Numbers

7.8 million

Population

185,000+

Businesses Affected

112

Recent Data Breaches

$Up to $1,000 per violation (breach), $1M+ (facial recognition)

Per Violation Fine

Who Must Comply in Washington?

Facial Recognition Services Act + breach notification + pending comprehensive privacy law applies to businesses that:

  • Process personal data of Washington residents
  • Meet revenue or data volume thresholds
  • Sell products/services to Washington consumers
  • Have physical or digital presence in Washington

Washington-Specific Requirements

Washington restricts facial recognition use by government and requires consent for private use. Strong breach notification law and pending comprehensive privacy legislation.

Recent Washington Privacy & Security Cases

Fred Hutch cancer center breach (2024) - Research data

MultiCare Health breach (2023) - 1M+ patients

Amazon facial recognition lawsuits (ongoing)

University of Washington incident (2024)

Major Washington Business Centers

Key cities where privacy compliance is critical for business success:

  • Seattle
  • Spokane
  • Tacoma
  • Vancouver
  • Bellevue

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