2026 US Privacy Laws: How to Prepare Your Shopify Store for the New Indiana, Kentucky, and Rhode Island Privacy Laws

20 States and Counting: Navigating the 2026 US Privacy Laws

As of January 1, 2026, the digital landscape in the United States has reached a major turning point. With the addition of Indiana, Kentucky, and Rhode Island, there are now  20 states with state privacy laws in effect.

For Shopify store owners, this is a fundamental part of doing business across the country. If you have customers in these regions, your store must now provide specific transparency, data rights, and opt-out options to remain legal.

Here is a breakdown of what has changed and how you can ensure your store is protected in 2026.

What’s New? A Look at the 2026 State Laws

While many state laws follow a similar framework, each of the three new states has specific nuances that your store needs to account for.

Lets go over the latest state laws which came into effect.

1. Indiana (INCDPA)

The Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act is largely modeled after the business-friendly standards seen in Virginia.

• Key Focus: Consumer rights. Indiana residents now have the right to confirm if you are processing their data and can request to access, correct, or delete it.
• Sensitive Data: You must obtain explicit "opt-in" consent before processing sensitive data (like precise geolocation or ethnic origin).
• The "Cure" Period: Indiana offers a 30-day window to fix violations before fines are imposed, but it’s best to be ready from day one.

2. Kentucky (KCDPA)

Kentucky’s law officially went live on the first of the year, emphasizing Data Minimization.

• Key Focus: Transparency and Necessity. Businesses must only collect data that is "adequate, relevant, and reasonably necessary" for the purposes they disclosed.
• Opt-Out Rights: Like other states, Kentucky allows residents to opt out of targeted advertising and the sale of their personal data.

3. Rhode Island (RIDTPPA)

The Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act is perhaps the most critical for small to medium businesses because of its strict disclosure requirements.

• Key Focus: Extreme Transparency. Rhode Island requires you to clearly identify every category of third party to whom you might sell or share personally identifiable information.
• No Grace Period: Unlike Indiana, Rhode Island’s enforcement can be stricter. Being "caught" without the proper disclosures can lead to immediate penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

How This Is Relevant For Shopify Merchants

With 20 states now active, US privacy laws are becoming more extensive.

Selling without an updated compliance set up is a risk and it's best to complete the needed steps. Customers are increasingly looking for "Your Privacy Choices" links and clear consent banners as a sign that a brand is legitimate and secure.

Failure to comply can lead to:

• Hefty Fines: State Attorneys General are increasingly active in enforcing these statutes.
• Ad Account Disruptions: Platforms like Google and Meta often require compliant tracking to maintain your ad performance.

At Consentmo, we already support the latest law requirements, making sure your store is protected.

To double check your banner and compliance set up, follow our recommendations below.

How to Update Your Compliance (Inside the App)

We’ve made it simple to keep your store protected.

Follow these two steps inside your Consentmo dashboard to ensure you are fully covered for the 2026 updates.

Step 1: Activate Recommended States

The newest laws require your cookie banner to show to visitors from Indiana, Kentucky, and Rhode Island.

• What to do: Go to Cookie Banner > Regions.
• Action: Click "Edit" under USA region and select all recommended states if you haven't already.

Step 2: Update Your US Compliance Page

Your store’s "Data Rights" or "US Compliance" page needs to reflect the specific language required by these new laws (especially Rhode Island’s disclosure rules).

• What to do: Navigate to the Compliance Page section in the app from Settings > Policies.
• Action: Click "Update" for the US Laws Page. The app will refresh your policy text to include the necessary legal texts and consumer rights links for the 2026 landscape.

Need a hand with your settings? Our support team is standing by to help you navigate these changes.

If you’re unsure if your banner is appearing correctly for these new states, just reach out!

Log in into your Consentmo admin.