Attorney General William Tong announced that starting January 1, 2025, businesses covered by the Connecticut Data Privacy Act must honor global opt-out preference signals, allowing consumers to opt out of targeted advertising and data sales via tools like Global Privacy Control. The advisory explains requirements, notes exemptions for HIPAA-covered entities, and provides resources for compliance.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor, customer, and data processing agreements where Connecticut residents' personal data is processed. Specifically, examine clauses governing data sharing, targeted advertising, data sales, and consumer consent mechanisms. Agreements must be updated to ensure they honor valid global opt-out preference signals (like GPC) as of January 1, 2025. Verify that contracts clearly define roles (controller vs. processor) under the CTDPA and incorporate necessary technical capabilities to recognize and process these signals. For entities handling health data, ensure contracts properly leverage the HIPAA exemption and do not inadvertently subject protected health information to CTDPA's opt-out requirements.
Entity
Businesses subject to CTDPA
Also known as: N/A
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/tong-advises-connecticut-consumers-and-businesses-of-opt-out-rights-and-requirements
https://globalprivacycontrol.org/
implementation
https://globalprivacycontrol.org/implementation
the connecticut data privacy act
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/sections/privacy/the-connecticut-data-privacy-act
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
Connecticut and New York found that Boston Children’s Health Physicians and its security vendor, XTIUM, failed to use reasonable safeguards, resulting in hackers accessing sensitive personal, medical, and employee information. The companies agreed to pay penalties totaling $2.64 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.
Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman petitioned PURA to review how Connecticut public utilities use artificial intelligence, citing potential data privacy and cybersecurity risks, algorithmic errors, and misleading outputs. The petition asks PURA to examine utility AI systems, safeguards, vendors, and data security practices; it does not report a finding of violation or an imposed penalty.
$2.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with RZ Smoke, Inc. over allegations that it distributed and sold high-potency cannabis products without a state license. The stipulated judgment is $2 million, with $375,000 payable to the State and $1.6 million suspended to ensure compliance; the company is barred from specified cannabis activities in Connecticut unless licensed.
$13.7M
Connecticut joined a coalition of states and the federal government in settling allegations that Takeda paid healthcare providers speaker honoraria and provided meals to induce prescriptions of Trintellix, leading to allegedly false claims to government healthcare programs. Takeda agreed to pay $13,670,921 plus accrued interest, with portions allocated to federal and state programs.