At ECACUSA, we continue to track the rapid expansion of state level privacy laws across the United States. Kentucky has now joined this growing group with the passage of a comprehensive consumer privacy statute that adds new obligations for organizations that collect or process personal data of Kentucky residents.
Kentucky’s law reinforces a broader national trend toward stronger consumer rights, clearer transparency requirements, and greater accountability for how personal data is handled.
What Is Kentucky’s New Privacy Law
Kentucky enacted the Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act (KCDPA), which establishes rules governing the collection, use, and sharing of personal data belonging to Kentucky residents. The law largely follows the structure of other state privacy frameworks, particularly the Virginia model, making it familiar for organizations already operating under similar requirements elsewhere.
The law applies to businesses that conduct business in Kentucky or target Kentucky residents and that meet certain data processing thresholds.
Key consumer rights include:
- The right to access personal data
- The right to correct inaccurate data
- The right to delete personal data
- The right to obtain a portable copy of personal data
- The right to opt out of targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, and certain profiling activities
The law started January 1, 2026.
What Businesses Are Required to Do
Organizations subject to the Kentucky law must implement reasonable policies and processes to protect consumer data, including:
- Providing clear and accessible privacy notices
- Limiting data collection to what is adequate, relevant, and reasonably necessary
- Implementing reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security safeguards
- Conducting data protection assessments for high-risk processing activities
- Responding to consumer rights requests within required timeframes
Enforcement authority rests solely with the Kentucky Attorney General. The law does not provide a private right of action for consumers.
Why This Matters for Customer Experience
Privacy is no longer just a legal obligation. It is a trust signal. Customers increasingly judge organizations by how transparently and responsibly their data is handled.
Kentucky’s law reinforces the idea that privacy should be integrated into the customer journey. When customers understand how their data is used and feel in control, they are more willing to engage, share information, and build long term relationships with brands.
The Impact on AI and Data Driven Operations
As organizations expand the use of AI, analytics, and personalization, Kentucky’s privacy law highlights the need for responsible data practices. Profiling and automated decision making that significantly affect consumers are subject to opt out rights, and sensitive data requires heightened protections.
Strong data governance not only supports compliance, but also improves AI accuracy, reliability, and fairness. Clean, well governed data is the foundation of effective and trustworthy AI driven experiences.
What ECACUSA Members Should Do Now
- Confirm whether your organization meets Kentucky’s applicability thresholds
- Review and update privacy notices and consent practices
- Map personal data flows across systems, partners, and vendors
- Prepare processes to handle consumer data requests efficiently
- Align AI and analytics initiatives with privacy by design principles
The Bottom Line
Kentucky’s new privacy law adds to an increasingly complex state privacy landscape, but it also creates an opportunity for organizations to strengthen customer trust through transparency and responsible data use.
At ECACUSA, we encourage members to view privacy compliance as a core component of great customer experience. Organizations that embed privacy into their data, AI, and CX strategies will be better positioned as regulations continue to evolve.
