The article “The Rising Tide of Data Privacy Litigation” by Will Sweeney, published on January 14, 2025, in Forbes, discusses the increasing frequency and cost of data breaches, highlighting that the global average cost reached nearly $4.9 million in 2024. This surge has led to a rise in data privacy litigation, with plaintiff law firms becoming more proactive, partly due to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) cybersecurity disclosure rule requiring public companies to disclose material cybersecurity incidents within four business days. The legal landscape is evolving, with courts issuing contradictory rulings on data breach claims, and state laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) providing statutory damages even without individual harm. Additionally, litigation is expanding beyond breaches to include issues like cross-border data transfers and misuse of personal data. Companies are advised to adhere to data privacy regulations and best practices to mitigate these risks.

View the original full article here: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2025/01/14/the-rising-tide-of-data-privacy-litigation/