Let’s be honest, when you're running a business in Grants Pass, your top priority is probably not reading legal updates about data privacy laws.

You're serving your customers, keeping the lights on, and juggling a dozen priorities. But here's the deal: Oregon’s new Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA) went into effect July 1st, 2024, and it could have real consequences for your business, especially if you're collecting any personal data through your website, marketing tools, or customer systems.

And yes, this applies even if you’re not a tech company.

What Is the OCPA?

The Oregon Consumer Privacy Act is the state's data protection law that gives consumers control over their personal information, and puts more responsibility on businesses to handle that data properly.

It covers things like:

• Names, emails, addresses
  
  
• Biometric or location data
  
  
• Website tracking info (like cookies or IP addresses)
  
  

It doesn’t matter if you’re a family-owned shop, a local CPA firm, or a health and wellness provider. If you're collecting customer data online, you need safeguards.

Why This Law Matters to Local Businesses

Most small businesses in Southern Oregon aren't tech giants. But many of us still have:

• A contact form on our website
  
  
• An email newsletter signup
  
  
• A CRM or customer database
  
  
• Online payments or scheduling tools
  
  

All these tools collect personal data. Under the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA), any business that provides services to Oregon residents and, within a calendar year, controls or processes the personal data of:

1. at least 100,000 consumers, or
   
   
2. 25,000 or more consumers and derives more than 25% of its annual gross revenue from selling that data

must comply with the law’s requirements.

So, if you collect and sell customer data, or if your subscriber list grows beyond these thresholds, you’re expected to:

• Be transparent about what you collect
  
  
• Give people clear privacy notices
  
  
• Allow people to access, correct, or delete their data
  
  
• Secure that data responsibly
  
  

Even if you don’t think your tech is “fancy,” you could still be on the hook for fines of up to $7,500 per violation.

We know that most small businesses in the Rogue Valley won’t hit these numbers today, and most don’t sell customer data. However, privacy laws are tightening all across the U.S., and many experts expect federal rules to follow soon. Staying ahead now protects your customers’ trust and saves you from scrambling later.

This Isn’t About Fear. It’s About Respect.

We get it: Compliance isn’t the most thrilling topic, especially in a town where relationships matter more than red tape. But that’s exactly why privacy should matter to your business:

Because respecting your customer’s data is just another way of respecting them.

Whether you're selling fresh produce at the farmers market, providing financial services, or operating a private healthcare clinic, your customers trust you. Privacy compliance is one way you keep that trust intact.

 Not Sure Where to Start?

That’s where we come in. At Rogue Valley Technology Consulting, we specialize in making tech simple and compliance manageable for businesses just like yours.

We created PrivacyAlign®, a set of solutions built for everyday businesses who need to get and stay compliant, without hiring a full-time IT team.

We offer everything from a clear checklist you can follow yourself, to hands-off implementation if you'd rather just have us take care of it.

Ready to See Where You Stand?

Book your free PrivacyAlign® consultation →

Let’s talk through your current setup, answer your questions, and map out a path forward. No pressure, no scare tactics.

You work hard to serve this community. Let’s make sure your tech works just as hard to protect it.