What are the differences between the US and EU data security laws?

Data security laws in the US and EU can vary considerably. In the US, the main federal law governing data security is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA sets up requirements for health and healthcare information and sets up rules for how that data should be stored and shared. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for ensuring that companies comply with these laws. In the EU, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the main data security law. The GDPR was enacted in 2018 and includes rules on how companies can collect, store and use data. It also requires companies to notify customers when their data is or may be shared or used in any way. Unlike in the US, GDPR applies to all EU citizens, regardless of their location. Additionally, the GDPR requires companies to obtain consent from users before collecting or using any personal data, while US laws do not have this requirement. The GDPR also provides for the ‘right to be forgotten’, where users can request that their data be deleted from a company’s system. The US does not currently have any laws that allow for this. Overall, data security laws in the US and EU differ in terms of scope, enforcement and rights for users. In the US, the focus is on protecting health information, while the EU has a broader scope of data protection. The EU also has stricter enforcement mechanisms, as well as more rights for users.

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