U.S. States

In the United States, a number of states play a role in data protection and privacy.  Governors can promote good privacy policies and consumer education within state government and encourage the establishment of privacy offices.  

Several governors have promoted privacy by declaring January 28 Data Privacy Day in their states.  Arizona, California, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin each have offices dedicated to privacy and/or Chief Privacy Officers. 

While not technically a privacy office, New York’s Consumer Protection Board provides consumers and businesses numerous privacy resources. 

Attorneys general from many states also offer consumer-oriented privacy information on their web pages and lead privacy initiatives within their states. 

Below is a state-by state listing of privacy resources offered by state governments.  If your state government is participating in Data Privacy Day 2011, and you do not see it listed here, please let us know by emailing info@privacyday.org.   

Arizona

Arizona’s Governor Proclaims Data Privacy Day in Arizona.

Mary Beth Joublanc is the Chief Privacy Officer for the Arizona Government Information Technology Agency.

Arkansas

Arkansas has declared Jan. 28 Data Privacy Day

California

California enacted Data Privacy Day on January 28, 2009.

Joanne McNabb is the Chief of California’s Office of Privacy Protection, which offers numerous resources about online privacy. The Office assists individuals with identity theft and other privacy-related concerns; provides consumer education and information on privacy issues; coordinates with local, state and federal law enforcement on identity theft investigations; and recommends policies and practices that protect individual privacy rights.

For Data Privacy Day 2009, the Office promoted a message of computer security for Data Privacy Day 2009. “Studies have found that home computers lack basic security protections,” said Joanne McNabb. “If your computer is not protected, neither is the information on it.” The Office developed a training presentation, “Secure Your Computer to Protect Your Privacy,” which can be used by community organizations and businesses to train individuals on securing their home computers. The presentation is available at the Office’s Data Privacy Day website.

How to Read a Privacy Policy by the California Office of Privacy Protection

The California Office of Privacy Protection (COPP) targets “online privacy” as its DPD 2012 theme. COPP has distilled cutting-edge research about online safety into five consumer P-O-W-E-R tips that will go live on the homepage and on COPP’s Facebook page January 27. COPP’s slogan is: EmPOWER yourself to get more control over your personal information in 2012!  COPP designed the tips for savvy consumers who already know safety basics such as “protect your computer” and “check your privacy settings.”  COPP’s Facebook community providesinsights and comments on California’s (and the nation’s!) developing privacy issues. 

Iowa

Iowa’s Governor Culver declares January 28, 2011 Data Privacy Day.

Maryland 

Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler offers tips for online privacy and safety.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts enacted Data Privacy Day on January 28, 2009.

Minnesota

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson provides tips, facts, and a “MySpace Training for Kids” Powerpoint presentation that could be used to generate a classroom discussion, particularly for younger teens.   AG Swanson also offers general privacy information regarding identity theft, data breach, and junk mail and telemarketing.

Montana

Montana’s Department of Justice offers safe in yourspace – a webpage offering resources for students, parents and educators.  Yourspace for teens and tweens provides information about networking; surfing, emailing and IM’ing; and cyberbullying.  In yourspace for parents, find information about kids and computers; steps to keep your child safe online; cyberbullying; and internet predators. Yourspace for educators offers students and technology; and technical issues for teachers.

Montana’s DOJ also offers extensive information about identity theft, how to protect yourself and what to do if it happens to you.

New York

As part of the Data Privacy Day commemoration, the NYS Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection and the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Cyber Security are providing myriad resources relating to information privacy, identity theft prevention, and data security breach protection. 

Division of Consumer Protection Resources:

• Information Privacy and Data Security Breach
• Data Breach Reporting Form and Compliance Guidance for Businesses

NYS Office of Cyber Security Resources:

• NYS Information Security Breach and Notification Act
• Awareness Material
• Newsletters
• Keeping Kids Safe Online
• Local Government Resources

North Carolina

Read North Carolina's Data Privacy Day January 28 proclamation.

The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources’ Government Records Branch offers a number of online tutorials about managing email, government records, and social networking.  The Branch’s website also offers social media best practice guidelines for local and state agencies as well as guidelines regarding email as public record in North Carolina.

Attorney General Roy Cooper provides Internet safety information: Protect Your Kids on the Internet.

Ohio

Daren Arnold is the Chief Privacy Officer for the State of Ohio’s Privacy & Security Information Center. Ohio’s Privacy & Security Office recognized Data Privacy Day 2011 and provides educational resources on its website: including: training materials; posters; information security shorts; online interactive quizzes and tests; and National Webcast Initiative Broadcasts, among others.

Read the Ohio Data Privacy Day Proclamation.

The Ohio Office of Information Security and Privacy also recognized Data Privacy Day 2010. For additional privacy and information security resources for citizens, businesses and government, visit http://privacy.ohio.gov.

Washington

Attorney General Rob McKenna offers educational materials resources for teens on topics including: teens as commodities; communicating and socializing online; settings and permissions; identity theft; respect; sharing images and gaming online; defensive computing and computing on the go, among others. Attorney General McKenna also provides helpful privacy and safety information for families and educators, a compilation of resources and links, and fun and educational games.
 

West Virginia

Sallie Milam is the Chief Privacy Officer for West Virginia. The West Virginia State Privacy Office was created in 2006 to help protect the personally identifiable information collected and maintained by Executive branch agencies.

West Virginia proclaimed January 28th as Data Privacy Day in 2012 and  2010. 

Wisconsin

Governor Scott Walker proclaims January 28, 2011 Data Privacy Day in Wisconsin.

Read the Wisconsin Data Privacy Day 2010 proclamation. 

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection houses the Office of Privacy Protection, which can be reached at DATCPWisconsinPrivacy@wisconsin.gov. Susan Schilz is the Senior Regulatory Specialist for the Office, which offers numerous resources pertaining to identity theft and fraud, including victim assistance and educational materials; promotes the development of fair information practices; and assists with mediation of privacy related disputes. The Office provides educational materials and fact sheets in Hmong and in Spanish.