California vs Texas Privacy Law Comparison
Understanding the differences between California's CCPA/CPRA and Texas's TDPSA is essential for businesses operating across state lines. California's law became effective January 1, 2020, while Texas's law took effect July 1, 2024. Below is a detailed side-by-side comparison covering applicability thresholds, consumer rights, enforcement, and more.
Reviewed by PrivacyLawMap editorial team · Last verified: 2026-08-13
Start with the California data privacy law guide and the Texas data privacy law guide for the full state-specific thresholds, rights, source links, and checklist steps behind this comparison.
To weigh the real-world stakes behind these two laws, see documented CCPA/CPRA fines and privacy penalties from actual state enforcement actions in the penalties tracker.
CCPA/CPRA vs TDPSA: the key differences at a glance
The biggest difference between California's CCPA/CPRA and Texas's TDPSA (as of 2026) is that California's CCPA/CPRA grants consumers a private right of action (the ability to sue directly in some circumstances), while Texas's TDPSA is enforced only by regulators.
- Maximum civil penalty: CCPA/CPRA up to $7,988 per violation vs TDPSA up to $7,500 per violation.
- Right to cure: CCPA/CPRA has no cure period vs TDPSA with 30-day cure period.
- Private right of action: yes under CCPA/CPRA vs no under TDPSA.
- Universal opt-out (GPC) signals: must be honored under CCPA/CPRA vs must be honored under TDPSA.
- Effective date: CCPA/CPRA since January 1, 2020 vs TDPSA since July 1, 2024.
Primary sources: CCPA/CPRA Full Text (California Legislative Information) · TDPSA Chapter 541 Text (Texas Statutes) · Verified 2026-08-13.
Swipe the table sideways to see every state column.
| Category | California CCPA/CPRA | Texas TDPSA |
|---|---|---|
| Thresholds & Applicability | ||
Effective Date | Jan 1, 2020 | Jul 1, 2024 |
Revenue Threshold | $25M | None |
Consumer Count | 100,000 | None |
Data Sale % Threshold | 50% | None |
| Consumer Rights | ||
Right to Access | ||
Right to Deletion | ||
Right to Correction | ||
Opt-Out of Sale | ||
Opt-Out Targeted Ads | ||
Opt-Out Profiling | ||
Limit Sensitive Data | ||
Right to Appeal | ||
Private Right of Action | ||
| Enforcement & Compliance | ||
Universal Opt-Out Required | ||
Cure Period | None | 30 days |
Penalty / Violation | $7,988 | $7,500 |
Enforcement Body | California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) and California Attorney General | Texas Attorney General |
Sensitive Data Consent | Opt-In | Opt-In |
Data Broker Provisions | California has a separate Data Broker Registration law (SB 362 — the California Delete Act, effective 2024) requiring data brokers to register with the CPPA, pay annual fees, and comply with the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP). The DROP system launched January 1, 2026 for consumer registration; starting August 1, 2026, data brokers must access the DROP at least every 45 days to process deletion requests. Non-registration carries fines of $200 per day. Failure to process deletion requests incurs $200 per request per day of non-compliance. The CPPA launched a Data Broker Enforcement Strike Force in January 2026 to actively pursue non-compliant brokers. Separately, the Delete Act requires every registered data broker to undergo an independent third-party audit of its Delete Act compliance beginning January 1, 2028 and once every three years thereafter (Civil Code §1798.99.86); brokers must keep the audit report for at least six years and submit it to CalPrivacy upon written request. This triennial data-broker audit is distinct from the CCPA cybersecurity audit and applies regardless of a broker's revenue. | Texas has a separate Data Broker Law (HB 4460, effective September 1, 2023) requiring data brokers to register with the Secretary of State, pay annual fees, and post conspicuous data collection notices. Non-compliance can result in penalties of up to $100 per day. |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between the two states
California vs Texas: Common Questions
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