Why Data Privacy Compliance Matters in Tennessee
The Tennessee Information Protection Act (TIPA) went into effect on July 1, 2025. It gives Tennessee residents stronger rights over their personal information—and sets clear obligations for businesses that collect or process that data.
You must comply if your business:
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Has $25 million+ in annual revenue and processes or controls data for more than 175,000 Tennessee residents each year
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Processes or controls data for more than 25,000 residents and earns over 50% of revenue from selling personal data
This applies even if your business is based outside Tennessee.
Enforcement is handled exclusively by the Tennessee Attorney General. There’s no private right of action, but that doesn’t mean the law should be taken lightly. Penalties can still be significant, and compliance builds trust with your customers.
About the Tennessee Information Protection Act (SB 5)
TIPA gives consumers several key rights:
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Right to Know, Access, and Portability – Request disclosure of collected personal data and receive it in a usable format
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Right to Delete – Remove personal information collected from them
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Right to Correct – Fix inaccurate information
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Right to Opt-Out – Stop the sale or sharing of personal data
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Right to Port – Receive their personal data in a portable format
Businesses also have specific controller obligations, including:
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Data minimization and avoiding secondary use
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Strong data security practices
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Non-discrimination against consumers
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Transparency and clear privacy notices
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Opt-in consent for sensitive data
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Data protection assessments
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Contracts with processors that meet specific requirements
Processor obligations include:
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Maintaining confidentiality
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Following controller instructions
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Assisting with consumer requests and data security
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Providing breach notifications
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Conducting data protection assessments
While TIPA is similar to other state privacy laws, it’s considered more business-friendly due to its limited scope, affirmative defense provisions, no private right of action, and extended cure periods.
How Oso Helps You Comply
Deliverable Based Services
Policies, procedures, internal guidelines, and more.
Risk Assessment
We help you identify, assess, and address privacy risks.
Employee Training
Training tailored to your team and your industry.
AI Governance
Ensure ethical and compliant AI use.
At Oso, we provide the tools, training, and guidance you need to meet Tennessee’s privacy requirements without overcomplicating your operations. Whether you're building a privacy program from scratch or improving what you already have, we’ve got you covered. Our services include:
Third Party Management
We'll help you make sure your vendors handle data the correct way.
Data Privacy Officer (DPO)
We offer fractional or full-service data support.
Privacy Audits
Get a clear picture of where you stand in terms of compliance.
Our Process
Our process starts with a conversation. We get to know your business and understand your current privacy practices.
From there, we may recommend a Risk Management session to identify any compliance gaps. Based on what we find, we’ll create a custom plan that could include:
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New or updated privacy policies
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Vendor reviews and third-party agreements
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Employee training sessions
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Website cookie and disclosure updates
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Privacy audits or AI governance setup
Whether you need a one-time project or ongoing consulting, we help you stay compliant and confident.
Serving Tennessee Businesses with Excellence
Tennessee's law may be new, but data privacy isn’t new to us.
We’ve worked with privacy laws across multiple states, giving us a depth of experience most local firms don’t have. Since TIPA is new, that experience matters—especially when interpreting how the law fits into the broader U.S. privacy landscape.
We know what works, how to align compliance with your operations, and how to avoid overcomplicating your privacy program. Whether you're running a property business in the Smoky Mountains or a startup in Nashville, we want to help.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Does TIPA apply to B2B data?
No. Like most consumer privacy laws, TIPA applies only to individuals, not business-to-business data.
Is there a private right of action?
No. TIPA does not allow consumers to sue businesses directly for violations. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General.
Does this apply to out-of-state companies?
Yes. If you handle data from Tennessee residents, the law may apply—even if your business is based elsewhere.
When should I start preparing?
As soon as possible. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2025, but compliance takes time. It’s smart to get ahead of it.
CONTACT
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