Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB172 Compare Versions

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11 2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
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44 2025 ASSEMBLY BILL 172
55 April 9, 2025 - Introduced by Representatives ZIMMERMAN, SORTWELL, ALLEN,
66 ARMSTRONG, BEHNKE, DITTRICH, DUCHOW, GOEBEN, GUSTAFSON, KNODL,
77 KREIBICH, KRUG, KURTZ, MAXEY, MELOTIK, MURPHY, MURSAU, NEDWESKI,
88 O'CONNOR, PENTERMAN, PIWOWARCZYK, PRONSCHINSKE, SNYDER, STEFFEN,
99 TITTL, TUSLER, WITTKE and MOSES, cosponsored by Senators QUINN, NASS,
1010 ROYS and MARKLEIN. Referred to Committee on Consumer Protection.
1111
1212 ***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
1313 AN ACT to repeal 100.80 (9) (b) 1.; to renumber and amend 100.80 (9) (b) 2.;
1414 to create 100.80 of the statutes; relating to: consumer data protection and
1515 providing a penalty.
1616 Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
1717 This bill establishes requirements for controllers and processors of the
1818 personal data of consumers. The bill defines a XcontrollerY as a person that, alone
1919 or jointly with others, determines the purpose and means of processing personal
2020 data, and the bill applies to controllers that control or process the personal data of
2121 at least 100,000 consumers or that control or process the personal data of at least
2222 25,000 consumers and derive over 50 percent of their gross revenue from the sale of
2323 personal data. Under the bill, Xpersonal dataY means any information that is linked
2424 or reasonably linkable to an individual except for publicly available information.
2525 The bill provides consumers with the following rights regarding their personal
2626 data: 1) to confirm whether a controller is processing the consumer[s personal data
2727 and to access the personal data; 2) to correct inaccuracies in the consumer[s
2828 personal data; 3) to require a controller to delete personal data provided by or about
2929 the consumer; 4) to obtain a copy of the personal data that the consumer previously
3030 provided to the controller; and 5) to opt out of the processing of the consumer[s
3131 personal data for targeted advertising; the sale of the consumer[s personal data;
3232 and certain forms of automated processing of the consumer[s personal data. These
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3939 rights are subject to certain exceptions specified in the bill. Controllers may not
4040 discriminate against a consumer for exercising rights under the bill, including by
4141 charging different prices for goods or providing a different level of quality of goods
4242 or services.
4343 A controller must establish one or more secure and reliable means for
4444 consumers to submit a request to exercise their consumer rights under the bill.
4545 Such means must include a clear and conspicuous link on the controller[s website to
4646 a webpage that enables a consumer or an agent of a consumer to opt out of the
4747 targeted advertising or sale of the consumer[s personal data and, on or after July 1,
4848 2028, an opt-out preference signal sent, with a consumer[s intent, by a platform,
4949 technology, or mechanism to the controller indicating the consumer[s intent to opt
5050 out of any processing of the consumer[s personal data for the purpose of targeted
5151 advertising or sale of the consumer[s personal data.
5252 The bill requires controllers to respond to consumers[ requests to invoke rights
5353 under the bill without undue delay. If a controller declines to take action regarding
5454 a consumer[s request, the controller must inform the consumer of its justification
5555 without undue delay. The bill also requires that information provided in response
5656 to a consumer[s request be provided free of charge once annually per consumer.
5757 Controllers must also establish processes for consumers to appeal a refusal to take
5858 action on a consumer[s request. Within 60 days of receiving an appeal, a controller
5959 must inform the consumer in writing of any action taken or not taken in response to
6060 the appeal, including a written explanation of the reasons for its decisions. If the
6161 appeal is denied, the controller must provide the consumer with a method through
6262 which the consumer can contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and
6363 Consumer Protection to submit a complaint.
6464 Under the bill, a controller must provide consumers with a privacy notice that
6565 discloses the categories of personal data processed by the controller; the purpose of
6666 processing the personal data; the categories of third parties, if any, with whom the
6767 controller shares personal data; the categories of personal data that the controller
6868 shares with third parties; and information about how consumers may exercise their
6969 rights under the bill. Controllers may not collect or process personal data for
7070 purposes that are not relevant to or reasonably necessary for the purposes disclosed
7171 in the privacy notice. The bill[s requirements do not restrict a controller[s ability to
7272 collect, use, or retain data for conducting internal research, effectuating a product
7373 recall, identifying and repairing technical errors, or performing internal operations
7474 that are reasonably aligned with consumer expectations or reasonably anticipated
7575 on the basis of a consumer[s relationship with the controller.
7676 Persons that process personal data on behalf of a controller must adhere to a
7777 contract between the controller and the processor, and such contracts must satisfy
7878 certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill also requires controllers to
7979 conduct data protection assessments related to certain activities, including
8080 processing personal data for targeted advertising, selling personal data, processing
8181 personal data for profiling purposes, and processing sensitive data, as defined in 2025 - 2026 Legislature
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8686 the bill. DATCP may request that a controller disclose a data protection assessment
8787 that is relevant to an investigation being conducted by DATCP.
8888 DATCP and the Department of Justice have exclusive authority to enforce
8989 violations of the bill[s requirements. A controller or processor that violates the bill[s
9090 requirements is subject to a forfeiture of up to $10,000 per violation, and DATCP or
9191 DOJ may recover reasonable investigation and litigation expenses incurred.
9292 During the time between the bill[s effective date and July 1, 2031, before bringing
9393 an action to enforce the bill[s requirements, DATCP or DOJ must first provide a
9494 controller or processor with a written notice identifying the violations. If within 30
9595 days of receiving the notice the controller or processor cures the violation and
9696 provides DATCP or DOJ with an express written statement that the violation is
9797 cured and that no such further violations will occur, then DATCP or DOJ may not
9898 bring an action against the controller or processor.
9999 The bill also prohibits cities, villages, towns, and counties from enacting or
100100 enforcing ordinances that regulate the collection, processing, or sale of personal
101101 data.
102102 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
103103 an appendix to this bill.
104104 The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
105105 enact as follows:
106106 SECTION 1. 100.80 of the statutes is created to read:
107107 100.80 Consumer data protection. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
108108 (a) XAffiliateY means a legal entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under
109109 common control with another legal entity or shares common branding with another
110110 legal entity. For the purposes of this definition, XcontrolY or XcontrolledY means
111111 ownership of, or the power to vote, more than 50 percent of the outstanding shares
112112 of any class of voting security of a company; control in any manner over the election
113113 of a majority of the directors or of individuals exercising similar functions; or the
114114 power to exercise controlling influence over the management of a company.
115115 (b) XAuthenticateY means verifying through reasonable means that the
116116 consumer, entitled to exercise his or her consumer rights under sub. (2), is the same
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132132 consumer exercising such consumer rights, or is an individual with authority to
133133 exercise such rights of a consumer, with respect to the personal data at issue.
134134 (c) XBiometric dataY means data generated by automatic measurements of an
135135 individual[s biological characteristics, such as a fingerprint, voiceprint, eye retinas,
136136 irises, or other unique biological patterns or characteristics that are used to identify
137137 a specific individual. XBiometric dataY does not include a physical or digital
138138 photograph, a video or audio recording or data generated therefrom unless such
139139 data is generated to identify a specific individual, or information collected, used, or
140140 stored for health care treatment, payment, or operations under the federal Health
141141 Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
142142 (d) XBusiness associateY has the meaning given in 45 CFR 160.103.
143143 (e) XChildY means an individual younger than 13 years of age.
144144 (f) XConsentY means a clear affirmative act signifying a consumer[s freely
145145 given, specific, informed, and unambiguous agreement to process personal data
146146 relating to the consumer. XConsentY may include a written statement, including a
147147 statement written by electronic means, or any other unambiguous affirmative
148148 action. XConsentY does not include any of the following:
149149 1. Acceptance of a general terms-of-use document or similar document that
150150 contains descriptions of personal data processing along with other, unrelated
151151 information.
152152 2. Hovering over, muting, pausing, or closing a given piece of content.
153153 3. Agreements obtained by using dark patterns.
154154 (g) XConsumerY means an individual who is a resident of this state acting only
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182182 in an individual or household context. XConsumerY does not include an individual
183183 acting in a commercial or employment context.
184184 (h) XControllerY means a person that, alone or jointly with others, determines
185185 the purpose and means of processing personal data.
186186 (i) XCovered entityY has the meaning given in 45 CFR 160.103.
187187 (ja) XCures ActY means the federal 21st Century Cures Act and valid federal
188188 regulations enacted pursuant to such provisions.
189189 (jd) XDark patternY means a user interface designed or manipulated with the
190190 substantial effect of subverting or impairing user autonomy, decision making, or
191191 choice.
192192 (jg) XDecisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects concerning a
193193 consumerY means a decision made by the controller that results in the provision or
194194 denial by the controller of financial and lending services, housing, insurance,
195195 education enrollment, criminal justice, employment opportunities, health care
196196 services, or access to basic necessities, such as food and water.
197197 (ka) XDeidentified dataY means data that cannot reasonably be linked to an
198198 identified or identifiable individual, or a device linked to such person.
199199 (kb) XIdentified or identifiable individualY means a person who can be readily
200200 identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a
201201 name, an identification number, specific geolocation data, or an online identifier.
202202 (La) XHIPAAY means the federal Health Insurance Portability and
203203 Accountability Act and valid federal regulations enacted pursuant to the act,
204204 including 45 CFR 164.500 to 164.534.
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232232 (Lg) XHITECHY means the federal Health Information Technology for
233233 Economic and Clinical Health Act and valid federal regulations enacted pursuant
234234 to the act.
235235 (m) XInstitution of higher educationY has the meaning given in s. 39.32 (1) (a).
236236 (n) XNonprofit organizationY means any corporation organized under ch. 181,
237237 any organization identified under s. 895.486 (2) (e), or any organization exempt
238238 from taxation under section 501 (c) (3), (6), or (12) of the Internal Revenue Code.
239239 (o) XPersonal dataY means any information that is linked or reasonably
240240 linkable to an identified or identifiable individual. XPersonal dataY does not include
241241 deidentified data or publicly available information.
242242 (p) XPrecise geolocation dataY means information derived from technology,
243243 including global positioning system level latitude and longitude coordinates or other
244244 mechanisms, that directly identifies the specific location of an individual with
245245 precision and accuracy within a radius of 1,750 feet. XPrecise geolocation dataY
246246 does not include the content of communications or any data generated by or
247247 connected to advanced utility metering infrastructure systems or equipment for use
248248 by a utility.
249249 (q) XProcessY or XprocessingY means any operation or set of operations
250250 performed, whether by manual or automated means, on personal data or on sets of
251251 personal data, such as the collection, use, storage, disclosure, analysis, deletion, or
252252 modification of personal data.
253253 (r) XProcessorY means an individual or person that processes personal data on
254254 behalf of a controller.
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282282 (s) XProfilingY means any form of automated processing performed on
283283 personal data to evaluate, analyze, or predict personal aspects related to an
284284 identified or identifiable individual[s economic situation, health, personal
285285 preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location, or movements.
286286 (t) XPseudonymous dataY means personal data that cannot be attributed to a
287287 specific individual without the use of additional information, provided that such
288288 additional information is kept separately and is subject to appropriate technical
289289 and organizational measures to ensure that the personal data is not attributed to
290290 an identified or identifiable individual.
291291 (u) XPublicly available informationY means information that is lawfully made
292292 available through federal, state, or local government records, or information that a
293293 business has a reasonable basis to believe is lawfully made available to the general
294294 public through widely distributed media, by the consumer, or by a person to whom
295295 the consumer has disclosed the information, unless the consumer has restricted the
296296 information to a specific audience.
297297 (v) XSale of personal dataY means the exchange of personal data for monetary
298298 or other valuable consideration by the controller to a 3rd party. XSale of personal
299299 dataY does not include any of the following:
300300 1. The disclosure of personal data to a processor that processes the personal
301301 data on behalf of the controller.
302302 2. The disclosure of personal data to a 3rd party for purposes of providing a
303303 product or service requested by the consumer.
304304 3. The disclosure of personal data based on the consumer directing the
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332332 controller to disclose the personal data or intentionally using the controller to
333333 interact with a 3rd party.
334334 4. The disclosure or transfer of personal data to an affiliate of the controller.
335335 5. The disclosure of information that a consumer intentionally made available
336336 to the general public via a channel of mass media and did not restrict to a specific
337337 audience.
338338 6. The disclosure or transfer of personal data to a 3rd party as an asset that is
339339 part of a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or other transaction in which the 3rd
340340 party assumes control of all or part of the controller[s assets.
341341 (w) XSensitive dataY includes the following:
342342 1. Personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, mental or
343343 physical health diagnosis, sexual orientation, or citizenship or immigration status.
344344 2. The processing of genetic or biometric data for the purpose of uniquely
345345 identifying an individual.
346346 3. The personal data collected from a known child.
347347 4. Precise geolocation data.
348348 (x) XTargeted advertisingY means displaying advertisements to a consumer
349349 where the advertisement is selected based on personal data obtained or inferred
350350 from that consumer[s activities over time and across nonaffiliated websites or
351351 online applications to predict such consumer[s preferences or interests. XTargeted
352352 advertisingY does not include any of the following:
353353 1. Advertisements based on activities within a controller[s own websites or
354354 online applications.
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382382 2. Advertisements based on the context of a consumer[s current search query,
383383 visit to a website, or online application.
384384 3. Advertisements directed to a consumer in response to the consumer[s
385385 request for information or feedback.
386386 4. Processing personal data processed solely for measuring or reporting
387387 advertising performance, reach, or frequency.
388388 (y) XThird partyY means a person or association, authority, board,
389389 department, commission, independent agency, institution, office, society, or other
390390 body in state or local government created or authorized to be created by the
391391 constitution or any law, other than a consumer, controller, processor, or an affiliate
392392 of the processor or the controller.
393393 (z) XTrade secretY has the meaning given in s. 134.90.
394394 (2) PERSONAL DATA RIGHTS; CONSUMERS. (a) A consumer or a consumer[s
395395 authorized agent may invoke the consumer rights authorized under this subsection
396396 at any time by submitting a request to a controller specifying the consumer rights
397397 the consumer wishes to invoke. A known child[s parent or legal guardian may
398398 invoke such consumer rights on behalf of the child regarding processing personal
399399 data belonging to the known child. A controller shall comply with an authenticated
400400 consumer request to exercise any of the following rights:
401401 1. To confirm whether or not a controller is processing the consumer[s
402402 personal data and to access such personal data, unless such confirmation or access
403403 would require the controller to reveal a trade secret.
404404 2. To correct inaccuracies in the consumer[s personal data, taking into
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432432 account the nature of the personal data and the purposes of the processing of the
433433 consumer[s personal data.
434434 3. To delete personal data provided by or obtained about the consumer.
435435 4. To obtain a copy of the consumer[s personal data that the consumer
436436 previously provided to the controller in a portable and, to the extent technically
437437 feasible, readily usable format that allows the consumer to transmit the data to
438438 another controller without hindrance, where the processing is carried out by
439439 automated means, provided such controller shall not be required to reveal any trade
440440 secret.
441441 5. To opt out of the processing of the personal data for purposes of targeted
442442 advertising, the sale of personal data, or profiling in furtherance of decisions that
443443 produce legal or similarly significant effects concerning the consumer. A consumer
444444 may exercise the consumer[s rights through user-enabled global privacy controls,
445445 such as a browser plugin or privacy setting, device setting, or other mechanism, that
446446 communicate or signal the consumer[s choice to opt out of processing for the
447447 purpose of targeted advertising or sale of the consumer[s personal data.
448448 (b) 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a controller shall comply
449449 with a request by a consumer to exercise the consumer rights authorized under par.
450450 (a).
451451 2. A controller shall respond to a consumer without undue delay, but in all
452452 cases within 45 days of receipt of a request submitted under par. (a). The response
453453 period may be extended once by 45 additional days when reasonably necessary,
454454 taking into account the complexity and number of the consumer[s requests, so long
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482482 as the controller informs the consumer of any such extension within the initial 45-
483483 day response period, together with the reason for the extension.
484484 3. If a controller declines to take action regarding a consumer[s request, the
485485 controller shall inform the consumer without undue delay, but in all cases and at
486486 the latest within 45 days of receipt of the request, of the justification for declining to
487487 take action and instructions for how to appeal the decision under par. (c).
488488 4. Information provided in response to a consumer request shall be provided
489489 by a controller free of charge, once annually per consumer. If requests from a
490490 consumer are manifestly unfounded, technically infeasible, excessive, or repetitive,
491491 the controller may charge the consumer a reasonable fee to cover the administrative
492492 costs of complying with the request or decline to act on the request. The controller
493493 bears the burden of demonstrating the manifestly unfounded, technically infeasible,
494494 excessive, or repetitive nature of the request.
495495 5. If a controller is unable to authenticate the request using commercially
496496 reasonable efforts, the controller may not be required to comply with a request to
497497 initiate an action under par. (a) and may request that the consumer provide
498498 additional information reasonably necessary to authenticate the consumer and the
499499 consumer[s request.
500500 6. A controller that has obtained personal data about a consumer from a
501501 source other than the consumer shall be deemed in compliance with a consumer[s
502502 request to delete the personal data under par. (a) 3. by doing any of the following:
503503 a. Deleting the personal data, retaining a record of the request and the
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530530 minimum data necessary to ensure the consumer[s personal data remains deleted
531531 from the controller[s records, and not using the retained data for any other purpose.
532532 b. Not processing the consumer[s personal data except as otherwise
533533 authorized under this section.
534534 (c) A controller shall establish a process for a consumer to appeal the
535535 controller[s refusal to take action on a request within a reasonable period of time
536536 after the consumer[s receipt of the decision pursuant to par. (b) 3. The appeal
537537 process shall be conspicuously available and similar to the process for submitting
538538 requests to initiate action under par. (a). Within 60 days of receipt of an appeal, a
539539 controller shall inform the consumer in writing of any action taken or not taken in
540540 response to the appeal, including a written explanation of the reasons for the
541541 decisions. If the appeal is denied, the controller shall also provide the consumer
542542 with an online mechanism, if available, or other method through which the
543543 consumer may contact the department to submit a complaint.
544544 (3) DATA CONTROLLER RESPONSIBILITIES; TRANSPARENCY. (a) 1. A controller
545545 shall limit the collection of personal data to what is adequate, relevant, and
546546 reasonably necessary in relation to the purposes for which such data is processed,
547547 as disclosed to the consumer.
548548 2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a controller may not process
549549 personal data for purposes that are not reasonably necessary to and not compatible
550550 with the disclosed purposes for which such personal data is processed, as disclosed
551551 to the consumer, unless the controller obtains the consumer[s consent.
552552 3. A controller shall establish, implement, and maintain reasonable
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580580 administrative, technical, and physical data security practices to protect the
581581 confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of personal data. Such data security
582582 practices shall be appropriate to the volume and nature of the personal data at
583583 issue.
584584 4. A controller may not process personal data in violation of state and federal
585585 laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination against consumers. A controller may
586586 not discriminate against a consumer for exercising any of the consumer rights
587587 contained in this section, including denying goods or services, charging different
588588 prices or rates for goods or services, or providing a different level of quality of goods
589589 and services to the consumer. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to
590590 require a controller to provide a product or service that requires the personal data
591591 of a consumer that the controller does not collect or maintain, or to prohibit a
592592 controller from offering a different price, rate, level, quality, or selection of goods or
593593 services to a consumer, including offering goods or services for no fee, if the offer is
594594 related to a consumer[s voluntary participation in a bona fide loyalty, rewards,
595595 premium features, discounts, or club card program.
596596 5. A controller may not process sensitive data concerning a consumer without
597597 obtaining the consumer[s consent, or, in the case of the processing of sensitive data
598598 concerning a known child, without processing such data in accordance with the
599599 federal Children[s Online Privacy Protection Act, 15 USC 6501 et seq.
600600 (b) Any provision of a contract or agreement that purports to waive or limit
601601 consumer rights under sub. (2) is void and unenforceable.
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627627 SECTION 1
628628 (c) A controller shall provide consumers with a reasonably accessible, clear,
629629 and meaningful privacy notice that includes all of the following:
630630 1. The categories of personal data processed by the controller.
631631 2. The purpose of processing personal data.
632632 3. How consumers may exercise their consumer rights under sub. (2),
633633 including how a consumer may appeal a controller[s decision with regard to the
634634 consumer[s request.
635635 4. The categories of 3rd parties, if any, with whom the controller shares
636636 personal data.
637637 5. The categories of personal data that the controller shares with 3rd parties,
638638 if any.
639639 (d) If a controller sells personal data to 3rd parties or processes personal data
640640 for targeted advertising, the controller shall clearly and conspicuously disclose such
641641 processing, as well as the manner in which a consumer may exercise the right to opt
642642 out of such processing.
643643 (e) A controller shall establish, and shall describe in a privacy notice, one or
644644 more secure and reliable means for consumers to submit a request to exercise their
645645 consumer rights under this section. Such means shall take into account the ways in
646646 which consumers normally interact with the controller, the need for secure and
647647 reliable communication of such requests, and the ability of the controller to
648648 authenticate the identity of the consumer making the request. Controllers may not
649649 require a consumer to create a new account in order to exercise consumer rights
650650 under sub. (2) but may require a consumer to use an existing account. A controller
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676676 MDE:cdc&emw
677677 SECTION 1
678678 that recognizes signals approved by other states shall be considered in compliance
679679 with this paragraph. Such means shall include all of the following:
680680 1. A clear and conspicuous link on the controller[s website to a webpage that
681681 enables a consumer or an agent of a consumer to opt out of the targeted advertising
682682 or sale of the consumer[s personal data.
683683 2. On or after July 1, 2028, an opt-out preference signal sent, with a
684684 consumer[s consent, by a platform, technology, or mechanism to the controller
685685 indicating the consumer[s intent to opt out of any processing of the consumer[s
686686 personal data for the purpose of targeted advertising or sale of the consumer[s
687687 personal data. Such platform, technology, or mechanism shall do all of the
688688 following:
689689 a. Not unfairly advantage one controller over another.
690690 b. Require the consumer to make an affirmative and unambiguous choice to
691691 opt out of any processing of the consumer[s personal data.
692692 c. Be easy to use by the average consumer.
693693 d. Enable the controller to accurately determine whether the consumer is a
694694 resident of this state and whether the consumer has made a legitimate request to
695695 opt out of any targeted advertising or sale of the consumer[s personal data.
696696 (4) RESPONSIBILITY ACCORDING TO ROLE; CONTROLLER AND PROCESSOR. (a) A
697697 processor shall adhere to the instructions of a controller and shall assist the
698698 controller in meeting its obligations under this section. Such assistance shall
699699 include the following:
700700 1. Taking into account the nature of processing and the information available
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727727 SECTION 1
728728 to the processor, by appropriate technical and organizational measures, insofar as
729729 this is reasonably practicable, to fulfill the controller[s obligation to respond to
730730 consumer rights requests under sub. (2).
731731 2. Taking into account the nature of processing and the information available
732732 to the processor, by assisting the controller in meeting the controller[s obligations in
733733 relation to the security of processing the personal data and in relation to giving
734734 notice of unauthorized acquisition of personal information under s. 134.98.
735735 3. Providing necessary information to enable the controller to conduct and
736736 document data protection assessments under sub. (5).
737737 (b) A contract between a controller and a processor shall govern the
738738 processor[s data processing procedures with respect to processing performed on
739739 behalf of the controller. The contract shall be binding and clearly set forth
740740 instructions for processing data, the nature and purpose of processing, the type of
741741 data subject to processing, the duration of processing, and the rights and obligations
742742 of both parties. The contract shall also include requirements that the processor
743743 shall do all of the following:
744744 1. Ensure that each person processing personal data is subject to a duty of
745745 confidentiality with respect to the data.
746746 2. At the controller[s direction, delete or return all personal data to the
747747 controller as requested at the end of the provision of services, unless retention of
748748 the personal data is required by law.
749749 3. Upon the reasonable request of the controller, make available to the
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774774 MDE:cdc&emw
775775 SECTION 1
776776 controller all information in its possession necessary to demonstrate the processor[s
777777 compliance with the obligations in this section.
778778 4. At least one of the following:
779779 a. Allow, and cooperate with, reasonable assessments by the controller or the
780780 controller[s designated assessor.
781781 b. Arrange for a qualified and independent assessor to conduct an assessment
782782 of the processor[s policies and technical and organizational measures in support of
783783 the obligations under this section using an appropriate and accepted control
784784 standard or framework and assessment procedure for such assessments. The
785785 processor shall provide a report of such assessment to the controller upon request.
786786 5. Engage any subcontractor pursuant to a written contract in accordance
787787 with par. (c) that requires the subcontractor to meet the obligations of the processor
788788 with respect to the personal data.
789789 (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve a controller or a
790790 processor from the liabilities imposed on it by virtue of its role in the processing
791791 relationship as defined by this section.
792792 (d) Determining whether a person is acting as a controller or processor with
793793 respect to a specific processing of data is a fact-based determination that depends
794794 upon the context in which personal data is to be processed. A processor that
795795 continues to adhere to a controller[s instructions with respect to a specific
796796 processing of personal data remains a processor.
797797 (5) DATA PROTECTION ASSESSMENTS. (a) A controller shall regularly conduct
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822822 MDE:cdc&emw
823823 SECTION 1
824824 and document a data protection assessment of each of the following processing
825825 activities involving personal data:
826826 1. The processing of personal data for purposes of targeted advertising.
827827 2. The sale of personal data.
828828 3. The processing of personal data for purposes of profiling, where such
829829 profiling presents a reasonably foreseeable risk of any of the following:
830830 a. Unfair or deceptive treatment of, or unlawful disparate impact on,
831831 consumers.
832832 b. Financial, physical, or reputational injury to consumers.
833833 c. Physical or other intrusion upon the solitude or seclusion, or the private
834834 affairs or concerns, of consumers, where such intrusion would be offensive to a
835835 reasonable person.
836836 d. Other substantial injury to consumers.
837837 4. The processing of sensitive data.
838838 5. Any processing activities involving personal data that present a heightened
839839 risk of harm to consumers.
840840 6. The processing of personal data related to any good, service, or product
841841 feature likely to be accessed by a child.
842842 (b) Data protection assessments conducted under par. (a) shall identify and
843843 weigh the benefits that may flow, directly and indirectly, from the processing to the
844844 controller, the consumer, other stakeholders, and the public against the potential
845845 risks to the rights of the consumer associated with such processing, as mitigated by
846846 safeguards that can be employed by the controller to reduce such risks. The use of
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873873 SECTION 1
874874 deidentified data and the reasonable expectations of consumers, as well as the
875875 context of the processing and the relationship between the controller and the
876876 consumer whose personal data will be processed, shall be factored into this
877877 assessment by the controller.
878878 (c) The department may request, pursuant to sub. (10), that a controller
879879 disclose any data protection assessment that is relevant to an investigation
880880 conducted by the department, and the controller shall make the data protection
881881 assessment available to the department. The department may evaluate the data
882882 protection assessment for compliance with the responsibilities set forth in sub. (3).
883883 Data protection assessments shall be confidential and not subject to the right of
884884 inspection and copying under s. 19.35 (1). The disclosure of a data protection
885885 assessment pursuant to a request from the department shall not constitute a
886886 waiver of attorney-client privilege or work product protection with respect to the
887887 assessment and any information contained in the assessment.
888888 (d) A single data protection assessment may address a comparable set of
889889 processing operations that include similar activities.
890890 (e) Data protection assessments conducted by a controller for the purpose of
891891 compliance with other laws or regulations may comply under this section if the
892892 assessments have a reasonably comparable scope and effect.
893893 (f) Data protection assessment requirements shall apply to processing
894894 activities created or generated after January 1, 2026, and are not retroactive.
895895 (6) PROCESSING DEIDENTIFIED DATA; EXEMPTIONS. (a) A controller in
896896 possession of deidentified data shall do all of the following:
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922922 MDE:cdc&emw
923923 SECTION 1
924924 1. Take reasonable measures to ensure that the data cannot be associated
925925 with an individual.
926926 2. Publicly commit to maintaining and using deidentified data without
927927 attempting to reidentify the data.
928928 3. Contractually obligate any recipients of the deidentified data to comply
929929 with all provisions of this section.
930930 (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a controller or
931931 processor to do any of the following:
932932 1. Reidentify deidentified data or pseudonymous data.
933933 2. Maintain data in identifiable form.
934934 3. Collect, obtain, retain, or access any data or technology, in order to be
935935 capable of associating an authenticated consumer request with personal data.
936936 (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a controller or
937937 processor to comply with an authenticated consumer rights request under sub. (2) if
938938 all of the following are true:
939939 1. The controller is not reasonably capable of associating the request with the
940940 personal data or it would be unreasonably burdensome for the controller to
941941 associate the request with the personal data.
942942 2. The controller does not use the personal data to recognize or respond to the
943943 specific consumer who is the subject of the personal data, or associate the personal
944944 data with other personal data about the same specific consumer.
945945 3. The controller does not sell the personal data to any 3rd party or otherwise
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970970 MDE:cdc&emw
971971 SECTION 1
972972 voluntarily disclose the personal data to any 3rd party other than a processor,
973973 except as otherwise permitted in this subsection.
974974 (d) The consumer rights contained in subs. (2) (a) 1. to 4. and (3) shall not
975975 apply to pseudonymous data in cases where the controller is able to demonstrate
976976 any information necessary to identify the consumer is kept separately and is subject
977977 to effective technical and organizational controls that prevent the controller from
978978 accessing such information.
979979 (e) A controller that discloses pseudonymous data or deidentified data shall
980980 exercise reasonable oversight to monitor compliance with any contractual
981981 commitments to which the pseudonymous data or deidentified data is subject and
982982 shall take appropriate steps to address any breaches of those contractual
983983 commitments.
984984 (7) LIMITATIONS. (a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict a
985985 controller[s or processor[s ability to do any of the following:
986986 1. Comply with federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations.
987987 2. Comply with a civil, criminal, or regulatory inquiry, investigation,
988988 subpoena, or summons by federal, state, local, or other governmental authorities.
989989 3. Cooperate with law enforcement agencies concerning conduct or activity
990990 that the controller or processor reasonably and in good faith believes may violate
991991 federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations.
992992 4. Investigate, establish, exercise, prepare for, or defend legal claims.
993993 5. Provide a product or service specifically requested by a consumer or the
994994 parent or guardian of a child, perform a contract to which the consumer is a party,
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10201020 MDE:cdc&emw
10211021 SECTION 1
10221022 including fulfilling the terms of a written warranty, or take steps at the request of
10231023 the consumer prior to entering into a contract.
10241024 6. Take immediate steps to protect an interest that is essential for the life or
10251025 physical safety of the consumer or of another individual, and where the processing
10261026 cannot be manifestly based on another legal basis.
10271027 7. Prevent, detect, protect against, or respond to security incidents, identity
10281028 theft, fraud, harassment, malicious or deceptive activities, or any illegal activity;
10291029 preserve the integrity or security of systems; or investigate, report, or prosecute
10301030 those responsible for any such action.
10311031 8. Engage in public or peer-reviewed scientific or statistical research in the
10321032 public interest that adheres to all other applicable ethics and privacy laws and is
10331033 approved, monitored, and governed by an institutional review board, or similar
10341034 independent oversight entities that determine all of the following:
10351035 a. If the deletion of the information is likely to provide substantial benefits
10361036 that do not exclusively accrue to the controller.
10371037 b. The expected benefits of the research outweigh the privacy risks.
10381038 c. If the controller has implemented reasonable safeguards to mitigate privacy
10391039 risks associated with research, including any risks associated with reidentification.
10401040 9. Assist another controller, processor, or 3rd party with any of the obligations
10411041 under this section.
10421042 (b) The obligations imposed on controllers or processors under this section
10431043 shall not restrict a controller[s or processor[s ability to collect, use, or retain data to
10441044 do any of the following:
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10711071 SECTION 1
10721072 1. Conduct internal research to develop, improve, or repair products, services,
10731073 or technology.
10741074 2. Effectuate a product recall.
10751075 3. Identify and repair technical errors that impair existing or intended
10761076 functionality.
10771077 4. Perform internal operations that are reasonably aligned with the
10781078 expectations of the consumer or reasonably anticipated on the basis of the
10791079 consumer[s existing relationship with the controller or are otherwise compatible
10801080 with processing data in furtherance of the provision of a product or service
10811081 specifically requested by a consumer or the performance of a contract to which the
10821082 consumer is a party.
10831083 (c) The obligations imposed on controllers or processors under this section
10841084 shall not apply where compliance by the controller or processor with this section
10851085 would violate an evidentiary privilege under ch. 905. Nothing in this section shall
10861086 be construed to prevent a controller or processor from providing personal data
10871087 concerning a consumer to a person covered by an evidentiary privilege under ch.
10881088 905 as part of a privileged communication.
10891089 (d) A controller or processor that discloses personal data to a 3rd-party
10901090 controller or processor, in compliance with the requirements of this section, is not in
10911091 violation of this section if the 3rd-party controller or processor that receives and
10921092 processes such personal data is in violation of this section, provided that, at the
10931093 time of disclosing the personal data, the disclosing controller or processor did not
10941094 have actual knowledge that the recipient intended to commit a violation. A 3rd-
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11201120 MDE:cdc&emw
11211121 SECTION 1
11221122 party controller or processor receiving personal data from a controller or processor
11231123 in compliance with the requirements of this section is likewise not in violation of
11241124 this section for the transgressions of the controller or processor from which it
11251125 receives such personal data.
11261126 (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as an obligation imposed on
11271127 controllers and processors that adversely affects the rights or freedoms of any
11281128 persons, such as exercising the right of free speech pursuant to the First
11291129 Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, or applies to the processing of personal data
11301130 by a person in the course of a purely personal or household activity.
11311131 (f) Personal data processed by a controller pursuant to this subsection may
11321132 not be processed for any purpose other than those expressly listed in this subsection
11331133 unless otherwise allowed by this section. Personal data processed by a controller
11341134 pursuant to this subsection may be processed to the extent that such processing is
11351135 both of the following:
11361136 1. Reasonably necessary and proportionate to the purposes listed in this
11371137 subsection.
11381138 2. Adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary in relation to the
11391139 specific purposes listed in this subsection. Personal data collected, used, or
11401140 retained pursuant to par. (b) shall, where applicable, take into account the nature
11411141 and purpose or purposes of such collection, use, or retention. Such data shall be
11421142 subject to reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect
11431143 the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of the personal data and to reduce
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11691169 SECTION 1
11701170 reasonably foreseeable risks of harm to consumers relating to such collection, use,
11711171 or retention of personal data.
11721172 (g) If a controller processes personal data pursuant to an exemption in this
11731173 section, the controller bears the burden of demonstrating that such processing
11741174 qualifies for the exemption and complies with the requirements in par. (f).
11751175 (h) Processing personal data for the purposes expressly identified in par. (a)
11761176 shall not solely make an entity a controller with respect to such processing.
11771177 (8) SCOPE; EXEMPTIONS. (a) This section applies to persons that conduct
11781178 business in this state or produce products or services that are targeted to residents
11791179 of this state and who satisfy either of the following:
11801180 1. During a calendar year, the person controls or processes personal data of at
11811181 least 100,000 consumers.
11821182 2. The person controls or processes personal data of at least 25,000 consumers
11831183 and derives over 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of personal data.
11841184 (b) This section shall not apply to any of the following:
11851185 1. An association, authority, board, department, commission, independent
11861186 agency, institution, office, society, entity regulated by the federal Farm Credit
11871187 Administration, or other body in state or local government created or authorized to
11881188 be created by the constitution or any law.
11891189 2. Financial institutions, affiliates of financial institutions, or data subject to
11901190 Title V of the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 15 USC 6801 et seq.
11911191 3. A covered entity or business associate governed by HIPAA or HITECH.
11921192 4. A nonprofit organization.
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12191219 SECTION 1
12201220 5. An institution of higher education.
12211221 6. A state agency or political subdivision of this state, including agents and
12221222 entities that use public safety technologies for the purposes of bona fide law
12231223 enforcement investigation.
12241224 7. The entity under contract under s. 153.05 (2m) (a) and its contractors.
12251225 8. The data organization under contract under s. 153.05 (2r) and its
12261226 contractors.
12271227 (c) The following information and data are exempt from this section:
12281228 1. Any health care information or record that is governed by HIPAA,
12291229 HITECH, Cures Act, or any other federal law governing the use, disclosure, access
12301230 or creation of health care information or records, including any derived,
12311231 identifiable, de-identifiable, confidential or non-confidential health care
12321232 information or records as defined by such federal laws.
12331233 2. Any health care information or record that is governed by s. 51.30, 146.816,
12341234 146.82, 146.83, or 146.84, chapter 153, or other Wisconsin law governing the use,
12351235 disclosure, access or creation of health care information or records, including any
12361236 derived, identifiable, de-identifiable, confidential or non-confidential health care
12371237 information or records as defined by such Wisconsin laws.
12381238 3. Any of the following:
12391239 a. Identifiable private information for purposes of the federal policy for the
12401240 protection of human subjects under 45 CFR Part 46.
12411241 b. Identifiable private information that is otherwise information collected as
12421242 part of human subjects research pursuant to the good clinical practice guidelines
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12691269 SECTION 1
12701270 issued by the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements
12711271 for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use or under 21 CFR Parts 50 and 56.
12721272 c. Personal data used or shared in research conducted in accordance with the
12731273 requirements set forth in this section, or other research conducted in accordance
12741274 with applicable law.
12751275 4. Information and documents created for purposes of the federal Health Care
12761276 Quality Improvement Act of 1986, 42 USC 11101 et seq.
12771277 5. Patient safety work product for purposes of the federal Patient Safety and
12781278 Quality Improvement Act, 42 USC 299b-21 et seq.
12791279 6. Information originating from, and intermingled to be indistinguishable
12801280 with, or information treated in the same manner as information exempt under this
12811281 paragraph.
12821282 7. The collection, maintenance, disclosure, sale, communication, or use of any
12831283 personal information bearing on a consumer[s credit worthiness, credit standing,
12841284 credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of
12851285 living by a consumer reporting agency, furnisher, or user that provides information
12861286 for use in a consumer report, and by a user of a consumer report, but only to the
12871287 extent that such activity is regulated by and authorized under the federal Fair
12881288 Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq.
12891289 8. Personal data collected, processed, sold, or disclosed in compliance with the
12901290 federal Driver[s Privacy Protection Act of 1994, 18 USC 2721 et seq.
12911291 9. Personal data regulated by the federal Family Educational Rights and
12921292 Privacy Act, 20 USC 1232g et seq.
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13181318 MDE:cdc&emw
13191319 SECTION 1
13201320 10. Personal data collected, processed, sold, or disclosed in compliance with
13211321 the federal Farm Credit Act, 12 USC 2001 et seq.
13221322 11. Data processed or maintained for any of the following purposes:
13231323 a. In the course of an individual applying to, employed by, or acting as an
13241324 agent or independent contractor of a controller, processor, or 3rd party, to the extent
13251325 that the data is collected and used within the context of that role.
13261326 b. As the emergency contact information of an individual under this section
13271327 used for emergency contact purposes.
13281328 c. That is necessary to retain to administer benefits for another individual
13291329 relating to an individual described in subd. 15. a. and used for the purposes of
13301330 administering those benefits.
13311331 12. Personal data collected, processed, and maintained in compliance with the
13321332 Children[s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, 15 USC 6501 et seq., as amended,
13331333 and regulations thereto.
13341334 (9) VIOLATIONS. (a) The department and the department of justice shall have
13351335 authority to enforce violations of this section.
13361336 (b) 1. The department or the department of justice shall, at least 30 days
13371337 before initiating any action under this section, provide a controller or processor
13381338 written notice that identifies the specific provisions of this section the department
13391339 or the department of justice alleges have been or are being violated. If within the 30
13401340 days the controller or processor cures the noticed violation and provides the
13411341 department or the department of justice an express written statement that the
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13671367 SECTION 1
13681368 alleged violations have been cured and that no such further violations shall occur,
13691369 no action shall be initiated against the controller or processor.
13701370 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., if a controller or processor continues to violate
13711371 this section in breach of an express written statement provided to the department
13721372 or the department of justice under subd. 1., the department or the department of
13731373 justice may initiate an action under this section.
13741374 (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as providing the basis for, or
13751375 being subject to, a private right of action to violations of this section or under any
13761376 other law.
13771377 (10) ENFORCEMENT ; PENALTIES. (a) The department or the department of
13781378 justice has exclusive authority to enforce violations of this section. The department
13791379 or the department of justice may commence an action in any court of competent
13801380 jurisdiction in the name of this state to restrain by temporary or permanent
13811381 injunction the violation of this section and any order issued under this section and
13821382 to recover a civil forfeiture of not less than $100 and not more than $10,000 for each
13831383 violation of this section or of any order, including an injunction, issued under this
13841384 section. The court may in its discretion, prior to the entry of final judgment, make
13851385 such orders or judgments as may be necessary to restore any person any pecuniary
13861386 loss suffered because of the acts or practices involved in the action, provided proof
13871387 thereof is submitted to the satisfaction of the court. The department may use its
13881388 authority in ss. 93.14 and 93.15 to investigate violations of this section and any
13891389 order issued under this section.
13901390 (b) The department of justice may issue a civil investigative demand to any
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14171417 SECTION 1
14181418 controller or processor believed to be engaged in, or about to engage in, any violation
14191419 of this section, and by the civil investigative demand the department of justice may
14201420 compel the attendance of any officers or agents of the controller or processor,
14211421 examine the officers or agents of the controller or processor under oath, require the
14221422 production of any books or papers that the department of justice deems relevant or
14231423 material to the inquiry, and issue written interrogatories to be answered by the
14241424 officers or agents of the controller or processor.
14251425 (c) The department or the department of justice may serve a complaint,
14261426 notice, order, civil investigative demand, or other process in the manner provided for
14271427 service of a summons, or a subpoena as provided by s. 885.03, and either may be
14281428 served by registered mail to an address that the controller or processor previously
14291429 furnished to the department, the department of justice, or the department of
14301430 financial institutions. Service may be proved by affidavit. Service in any event may
14311431 also be by registered mail addressed to the controller or processor and proved by
14321432 post office return receipt, in which case the time of service is the date borne by the
14331433 receipt.
14341434 (d) Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), the department or the department of justice
14351435 may recover reasonable expenses incurred in investigating, preparing, and
14361436 prosecuting the case, including attorney fees, of any action initiated under this
14371437 section.
14381438 (11) LOCAL PREEMPTION. No city, village, town, or county may enact or
14391439 enforce an ordinance that regulates the collection, processing, or sale of personal
14401440 data.
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14671467 SECTION 2
14681468 SECTION 2. 100.80 (9) (b) 1. of the statutes, as created by 2025 Wisconsin Act
14691469 .... (this act), is repealed.
14701470 SECTION 3. 100.80 (9) (b) 2. of the statutes, as created by 2025 Wisconsin Act
14711471 .... (this act), is renumbered 100.80 (9) (b) and amended to read:
14721472 100.80 (9) (b) Notwithstanding subd. 1., if If a controller or processor
14731473 continues to violate violates this section in breach of an express written statement
14741474 provided to the department or the department of justice under subd. 1., the
14751475 department or the department of justice may initiate an action under this section.
14761476 SECTION 4. Effective dates This act takes effect on July 1, 2027, except as
14771477 follows:
14781478 (1) The repeal of s. 100.80 (9) (b) 1. and the renumbering and amendment of s.
14791479 100.80 (9) (b) 2. take effect on July 1, 2031.
14801480 (END)
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