New law may force small businesses to reveal data practices

A Rhode Island software company that sells primarily to businesses is nonetheless making sure it complies with a strict California law about consumers’ privacy.

AVTECH Software is preparing for what some say is the wave of the future: laws requiring businesses to be upfront with customers about how they use personal information. California has already passed a law requiring businesses to disclose what they do with people’s personal information and giving consumers more control over how their data is used — even the right to have it deleted from companies’ computers.

Privacy rights have gotten more attention since news earlier this year that the data firm Cambridge Analytica improperly accessed Facebook user information. New regulations also took effect in Europe.

New law may force small businesses to reveal data practices