Most websites continue to share personal data with advertising third parties even when users opt out.
Website Privacy Compliance Guide
Website privacy compliance has become a critical concern for businesses of all sizes. With enforcement actions increasing and fines mounting, organizations must implement robust privacy practices on their websites to avoid regulatory penalties and protect consumer trust.
The Current State of Compliance
76% of the top 100 websites in the US do not honor CPRA opt-out signals. Despite clear legal requirements, the majority of websites fail to properly implement privacy controls. With regulators stepping up enforcement, businesses face significant financial and reputational risks.
Key Compliance Statistics
→
76%
of top US websites are not CPRA compliant
→
75%
share data despite opt-out
Even when users explicitly opt out, most websites still share personal data with advertising partners.
→
17
average advertising third parties
US websites share personal data with an average of 17 advertising third parties per site.
→
70%+
share with Google & Facebook
Over 70% of websites share personal data with Google Ads and Facebook Ads platforms.
Website Privacy Compliance Checklist
1. Privacy Notice Requirements
- Comprehensive privacy policy accessible from all pages
- Clear description of personal information collected
- Purposes for collection and processing
- Categories of third parties with whom data is shared
- Consumer rights and how to exercise them
- Annual review and update of privacy policy
2. Opt-Out Mechanisms
- "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link on homepage
- Functional opt-out mechanism that actually stops data sharing
- Honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) browser signals
- Process opt-out requests within required timeframes
- Apply opt-out choices to all data sharing activities
3. Consent Management
- Implement a consent management platform (CMP)
- Obtain consent before collecting sensitive personal information
- Provide clear, granular consent options
- Document consent records
- Allow easy withdrawal of consent
4. Cookie Compliance
- Cookie notice explaining types and purposes of cookies
- Block non-essential cookies until consent (where required)
- Provide cookie preference center
- Regular cookie audit and inventory
- Third-party cookie disclosure
5. Data Subject Request Handling
- At least two methods for submitting requests (e.g., web form, email)
- Identity verification process
- Response within required timeframes (typically 45 days)
- Track and document all requests
- Train staff on handling requests
Common Compliance Failures
| Issue | Prevalence | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Not honoring GPC signals | Very High | High |
| Data sharing continues after opt-out | Very High | High |
| Incomplete privacy policy | High | Medium |
| Missing "Do Not Sell" link | Medium | High |
| Improper consent for sensitive data | High | High |
| Slow response to data requests | Medium | Medium |
Consent Compliance Best Practices
- Implement automated monitoring: Regularly scan your website for privacy compliance issues
- Test opt-out functionality: Verify that opt-out actually stops data sharing
- Audit third-party integrations: Know exactly what data is shared with each vendor
- Train your team: Ensure marketing, IT, and legal teams understand privacy requirements
- Document everything: Maintain records of consent, opt-outs, and compliance activities
- Regular policy reviews: Update privacy notices as laws and practices change