Data privacy pressures are poised to shift significantly in 2026, with experts split on whether the U.S.’s deregulatory momentum will push companies toward business enablement or whether expanding global laws and emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and agentic AI, will introduce new layers of regulatory complexity. Across jurisdictions, organizations are preparing for a year of rapid change in privacy expectations and enforcement.
Lynn Parker Dupree, Partner and Leader of Finnegan’s Privacy practice stated, “There will likely be sustained attention on children’s privacy among state regulatory bodies and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Regulatory authorities nationwide have emphasized the importance of strengthening protections for minors, a priority that has been evident in recent enforcement actions by the FTC and states such as California, Florida, and Michigan. Businesses should prioritize compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and ensure that privacy options are presented to consumers in a clear and transparent manner.”
