Ohio Data Privacy Laws
Whether you are shopping online, scheduling an appointment, or just browsing a website, your personal details may be gathered and stored, sometimes without your full knowledge. Some data is anonymous, but other information—like Social Security numbers, contact details, or purchase histories—can be used to identify or harm you if it falls into the wrong hands.
Ohio data privacy laws regulate how companies and organizations collect, use, store, and share personal data. These regulations exist to protect your rights, prevent others from exploiting your personal details, and maintain trust when engaging with digital platforms.
At Class Action U, we help Ohio residents understand their legal rights and hold companies accountable when they fail to protect sensitive personal information.
Key Ohio Data Privacy Laws
Several Ohio regulations protect consumers from the misuse of their sensitive data. These laws place strict requirements on how entities use your data and their responsibilities if a data breach occurs.
Ohio Consumer Protection Laws
Ohio’s consumer protection regulations prohibit businesses from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices. The Ohio Attorney General oversees the enforcement of these laws, a few of which pertain to data privacy.
- Credit Card Recording Act (1993): This act prohibits businesses from distributing a consumer’s sensitive financial data for marketing purposes, including Social Security numbers and full credit card details. They can only store the information for non-marketing purposes.
- Credit Card Truncation Act (2004): This act prevents businesses from listing more than five numbers of a consumer’s credit or debit card number in a purchase receipt and prohibits organizations from including the card’s expiration date.
Ohio Data Protection Act (ODPA)
Ohio enacted its Data Protection Act (ODPA) in 2018, encouraging businesses to adopt a rigorous cybersecurity framework to protect sensitive information from data breaches. While the law doesn’t mandate organizations to abide by specific minimum cybersecurity standards, it provides an affirmative legal defense to companies that do.
A few of the cybersecurity frameworks recognized by Ohio include:
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Center for Internet Security Controls (CIS)
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
Companies that adopt and maintain compliance with an accepted cybersecurity framework have a valid legal defense against lawsuits that allege poor information security controls. So long as an organization can prove its compliance, it can avoid civil liability in Ohio state and local courts. The legislation requires courts to consider an organization’s size, complexity, and resources when determining compliance.
Ohio Data Breach Notification Law
Ohio’s Security Breach Notification Act requires organizations to notify affected consumers within 45 days of discovering a data breach involving their personal or sensitive information. Entities can mail, email, or telephone individuals to inform them of the breach. If more than 1,000 Ohio residents are affected, the organizations must notify the three consumer reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
When notification costs are too high, companies may issue public notices via websites or media outlets
Ohio Personal Privacy Act (OPPA)
In 2021, Ohio legislators introduced the Ohio Personal Privacy Act, or OPPA. This act includes a set of data privacy rights for state consumers and establishes specific data protocols for businesses to follow.
Under the present version of the proposed OPPA, consumers can request companies to delete their personal data and refrain from selling it to third parties. Businesses with revenues exceeding $25 million annually must post privacy notices and advise if and to whom they sell consumer data. Organizations are also encouraged to adopt the NIST cybersecurity framework.
As of July 2025, the OPPA is with the Ohio House Committee and has not yet been approved or signed into law
Consumer Rights Under Ohio Data Privacy Laws
If passed, the OPPA would give Ohio residents the following rights :
- Right to Access: Consumers may ask a company to provide them with a copy of any stored or collected data.
- Right to Deletion: Consumers may request that organizations delete their personal data.
- Right to Know: Consumers may ask companies to provide a list of personal data collected and its use.
- Right to Opt-Out: Consumers can refrain from giving organizations permission to sell their data to third parties.
Enforcement of Ohio Data Privacy Laws
The Ohio Attorney General’s office enforces state consumer protection laws. If you believe a company violated your rights, you may file a complaint online through the Attorney General’s website. Authorities may investigate your complaint and take legal action against a violating company if necessary.
Some examples of data privacy violations that may break state laws include:
- Failing to notify you of a data breach involving your sensitive personal information within the required 45-day deadline
- Including your full credit card or debit card number on a purchase receipt
- Selling your financial information to a third party without your consent
What To Do If Your Data Has Been Breached
Data breaches are unpredictable. Any company can be a target, no matter its size or industry. While you can’t prevent one from occurring, here are some things you can do to safeguard your personal data:
- Use strong, unique passwords: To enhance your security, avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts and use a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Many companies are moving to a two-factor authentication system, which uses a combination of passwords and a verification number to log users in for an extra layer of security.
- Watch for phishing: Hackers frequently send phishing emails that contain malware or links that make it easier to hack into systems. Educate yourself and others on common phishing emails and avoid clicking or downloading anything from unknown senders.
- Review your privacy settings: Check your data privacy settings across websites, browsers, apps, and software. Many provide options to opt out of data collection or minimize what you share.
- Talk to a lawyer: Speak with an experienced attorney who can assess your situation. You may have grounds to take legal action and recover damages.
Data breaches can cause severe psychological distress and financial losses. Do not hesitate to get legal help if you experience harm from a negligent organization that fails to safeguard your data.
How Can a Data Breach Lawyer Help
Too often, data breaches lead to unexpected consequences for victims. If someone uses your data to open financial accounts in your name or represent you in some other way, it can harm your credit and personal reputation.
A data breach attorney can evaluate your situation and recommend legal action that holds the appropriate parties responsible for failing to protect your data. A lawyer may help you join or initiate a class action lawsuit if the breach affects many individuals, allowing you to seek compensation as a group.
Data breach victims may be eligible for compensation for financial losses, emotional distress, and other related damages.
Speak to a Data Breach Lawyer
Class Action U helps individuals pursue justice after their personal data is compromised. Whether you are considering an individual claim or a class action lawsuit, we can connect you with an experienced attorney.
Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.
Don’t leave your privacy unprotected. Know your rights—and act on them.
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