Cristian Storto // ShutterstockWhy small businesses can no longer ignore data privacy lawsA nationwide patchwork of privacy regulationsIn the last few years, a wave of state-level data privacy laws has swept across the United States. Confusion and compliance challenges for small businessesFor many small business owners, data privacy regulations still feel abstract or aimed at larger businesses. The risks of noncompliance: fines, lawsuits, and lost trustIgnoring data privacy laws is no longer an option; the risks of getting it wrong have grown too large. Training your staff on basic data hygiene and customer data rights can go a long way toward preventing mistakes. At the end of the day, small companies can no longer afford to take a wait-and-see approach to data privacy.