The 2026 U.S. data privacy landscape will be shaped by heightened enforcement and evolving regulations. The FTC plans aggressive enforcement of COPPA and broader minors’ privacy protections. New and amended state privacy laws take effect, boosting consumer rights and compliance demands. States are collaborating on enforcement, especially around opt‑out rights. Cybersecurity regulations and AI laws will expand, while federal and state authorities refine standards for critical infrastructure and privacy risk management.
