Major Retailers Resist Data Privacy Compliance Amid New Virginia Law

Online retailers face growing challenges in protecting shopper privacy amid increasing cyber threats and regulatory demands. Recent high-profile data breaches in the fashion and retail sectors, including companies like M&S, LVMH, and Harrods, highlight vulnerabilities due to large customer databases and reliance on online channels, prompting calls for robust prevention and incident response strategies. Legal frameworks, such as Virginia's Consumer Protection Act, now require explicit consent for data collection and sharing, particularly concerning sensitive health information, reflecting heightened privacy concerns in the digital age. Best practices for retailers emphasize minimizing data collection to only what is necessary, restricting access, and maintaining transparency to safeguard personal and payment information, thereby preserving customer trust. This approach includes innovations like no-KYC policies in online casinos and streamlined data practices in digital subscription services to reduce privacy risks. As cyber threats evolve, compliance with data protection laws and proactive privacy measures remain critical for the retail industry's reputation and legal standing.