The US just launched its biggest effort yet to compensate victims of human trafficking, setting up a process to dole out $200 million from seizures related to shutting down the notorious online escorts ad service Backpage.com.
In an announcement on Thursday, the Department of Justice confirmed that "this marks the largest remission process to date to compensate victims of human trafficking."
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti said the effort to redistribute millions of ill-gotten gains "underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to use forfeiture to take the profit out of crime and to compensate victims." It comes after Backpage's "owners and key executives and businesses related to the platform" were found guilty of facilitating crimes including money laundering and "unlawful commercial sex using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce," the DOJ said.
A new Department of Energy report “fundamentally misrepresents” climate research and leaves out key context, multiple scientists cited in the report tell WIRED.
The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) market is crowded, but that doesn't mean it's a winner-takes-all scenario. Different companies have different business models with varying risks and rewards, and Joby Aviation(NYSE: JOBY) is arguably the one with the most reward and also one that's reducing its risk the most in 2025. Is it enough to make it a stock that could set investors up for life? Here's the lowdown.
What makes Joby Aviation different
It's always interesting to compare competitors across a growth industry, and doing so with Joby's peer Archer Aviation(NYSE: ACHR) makes for a fascinating comparison. The first conclusion is that they have significantly different models. The second is that the nature of their models allows for more than enough room for both in the market, and the third is that Joby Aviation is making real progress in de-risking the elements of its business that are subject to greater market uncertainty.
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In a nutshell, you can think of Joby Aviation as a "go it alone" player in the industry, backed by a heavyweight manufacturing partner in Toyota, as well as other investors such as Uber and Delta Air Lines. Its business model is different from Archer's and the rest of the industry in two key ways:
Joby Aviation doesn't plan to sell its aircraft and prefers to develop much of its technology in-house, having its own powertrain and electronics manufacturing facility in California.
As quoted from its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, Joby plans to "own and operate our aircraft ourselves, building a vertically integrated transportation company that will deliver transportation services to customers."
Both points are crucial to understanding the investment case.
Joby's in-house development
Archer, along with other eVTOL companies such as Germany's Lilium and the U.K.'s Vertical Aerospace, makes no secret of the fact that it has leading aerospace and automotive companies as partners in providing solutions. The advantage of heavy integration with established partners in developing technology is a simplified and less risky process, which, theoretically, leads to earlier certification.
Image source: Getty Images.
For example, Archer partners with Honeywell for actuators and climate systems, Hexcel for advanced composite materials, Safran for avionics, and Stellantis (also a key investor). Honeywell is a key strategic technology partner of Vertical Aerospace and partners with European aerospace companies GKN and Leonardo.
Lilium partners with GE Aerospace in flight data management and Honeywell (also an investor) for flight control, avionics, and propulsion unit sensors.
As such, Joby's more "go it alone" approach could be deemed more risky. However, it has received significant investment (up to $894 million) from a manufacturing heavyweight, Toyota. Moreover, the Japanese giant is assisting in improving Joby's manufacturing processes and optimizing design.
A vertically integrated transportation company
Here again, Joby is different. It doesn't want to sell its aircraft; instead, it wants to handle the commercialization of transportation services itself. Again, this is a more risky business model, as it implies commercial business expertise in addition to research & development and manufacturing expertise. It's somewhat akin to Boeing or Airbus deciding to operate an airline.
On the other hand, there's a reason why Uber has invested $125 million in Joby so far: the obvious potential to integrate their services. Similarly, Delta Air Lines is investing up to $200 million in Joby to transport passengers to airports. With Delta increasingly focusing on premium travelers and looking to offer experiences that engender loyalty, the Joby tie-in is a significant plus.
Image source: Joby Aviation.
Can Joby Aviation be a life-changing investment?
Given the current trends in the global economy, whereby technology is enabling fundamental shifts in how industrial and transportation companies operate (think Tesla selling direct or Uber not needing to own cars), Joby's business model makes perfect sense and has the potential to create more value for shareholders over the long term.
Meanwhile, while its peers are working with leading aerospace companies, Toyota is a formidable manufacturing entity and partner, and the Toyota Production System is the precursor to all the lean manufacturing practices successfully implemented by GE Aerospace and many others.
There are no guarantees in nascent technology fields such as eVTOL, and diversification is key when investing in growth stocks. Still, Joby Aviation is a strong candidate for an investment that could set you up for life.
Should you invest $1,000 in Joby Aviation right now?
Before you buy stock in Joby Aviation, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Joby Aviation wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,063,471!*
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Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends Delta Air Lines, GE Aerospace, Hexcel, and Stellantis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
GE Aerospace(NYSE: GE) stock trades up more than 60% year to date, and it's understandable if investors are starting to think it might be overvalued. However, the company's second-quarter earnings just revealed something that strengthens the investment thesis for long-term investors.
Improving long-run profit potential
Aerospace companies are typically not judged on near-term earnings, but rather on their potential for a long-term stream of recurring revenue from higher-margin services. In this case, it's GE's commercial aerospace engines.
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The typical model in the industry is that engines are initially sold at a loss, which reflects the long-term development costs as well as production costs, known as the negative engine margin. However, as they can be run for over 40 years, they generate a lucrative stream of aftermarket revenue when they periodically require "shop visits" for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).
It leads to an odd dynamic where GE Aerospace wants to deliver more engines for long-term profitability, but it will hurt earnings in the near term. The key is to deliver new engines, and particularly the LEAP engine (used on the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320neo family).
As you can see below, after a challenging 2024, GE is on track for 15% to 20% growth in deliveries in 2025 -- the chart shows the midpoint of that range.
Data source: GE Aerospace. Chart by author.
Digging into the details, the second quarter marked a dramatic improvement, as LEAP engine deliveries increased by 38% year over year to 410 units , following a 13% decline in the first quarter to 319 units. This increase puts GE back on track for its full-year guidance.
Where next for GE Aerospace?
While the engine delivery growth will hold back near-term profits, it will drive long-term earnings and cash flow. This is a good sign that GE is overcoming the supply chain issues that negatively impacted deliveries in 2024.
Should you invest $1,000 in GE Aerospace right now?
Before you buy stock in GE Aerospace, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and GE Aerospace wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,063,471!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,041% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.
Index Ventures partner Jahanvi Sardana has a reminder for all those founders worried about finding TAM for their product or service: many startups have emerged from markets that, at the time, were essentially nonexistent.
Google DeepMind's Gemini AI won a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad by solving complex math problems using natural language, marking a breakthrough in AI reasoning and human-level performance.Read More
When I launched my first WordPress site, privacy laws were pretty straightforward. You added a privacy policy, maybe updated your terms of service, and moved on.
But things have changed in recent years. States like Utah have introduced strict privacy laws that apply to businesses worldwide, even if you’re not based in the U.S.
Under the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA), you could face fines of up to $7,500 per violation. And most of the official guidance is written for lawyers, not for WordPress users just trying to stay compliant.
If you’ve been struggling to make sense of what’s required, you’re not alone. I created this guide to help everyday website owners understand how the UCPA works and what steps to take inside WordPress.
I’ve spent a lot of time researching the law, testing plugins, and finding the easiest tools. That way, you can stay focused on growing your business.
Disclaimer: We’re not lawyers. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We highly recommend consulting with a qualified legal professional to ensure your business is fully compliant with the UCPA and other privacy regulations.
What is the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA)?
The Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA) is a privacy law designed to protect the personal information of Utah residents. It tells businesses how they should collect, use, and store personal data.
In this context, personal data means any information that can identify someone, such as names, email addresses, IP addresses, or even device IDs.
The UCPA can affect businesses in many locations, not just those based in Utah or even the United States. If your site handles data from people who live in Utah, then the UCPA may apply to you.
However, it’s important to note that the UCPA doesn’t apply to every WordPress blog or website. Instead, it’s aimed at larger businesses that meet a few specific conditions.
First, you must conduct business in Utah or offer products or services that target Utah residents.
Next, your business must have an annual revenue of $25 million or more.
You’ll also need to meet at least one of the following data processing thresholds:
Control or process the personal data of 100,000 or more Utah consumers.
Get more than 50% of your gross revenue from selling personal data and control or process the data of 25,000 or more Utah consumers.
These requirements are fairly specific, especially compared to some other privacy laws.
However, if your business meets these criteria, then it’s important to make sure you’re following the UCPA.
Why Should WordPress Users Care About UCPA Compliance?
Breaking the UCPA can result in serious fines. If your business violates this law, the Utah Attorney General will start by sending you a written notice. You’ll then have 30 days to fix the issue. This is known as a ‘cure period.’
If you don’t resolve the problem within that window, the Attorney General can begin issuing fines.
You could be fined up to $7,500 for each violation. And every misuse of personal data counts as a separate violation.
These penalties can add up quickly for qualifying businesses. For example, if you mishandle the data of 100 Utah residents, you could face up to $750,000 in penalties.
How UCPA Affects Your WordPress Site
As I’ve already mentioned, the UCPA is a state-level privacy law that gives consumers specific rights over their personal data.
Here are a few key consumer rights that may affect your WordPress website:
The Right to Know: Users can ask for information on the personal data you collect about them. That means you’ll need to clearly explain your data collection practices.
The Right to Correction: Users can request corrections to any inaccurate information.
The Right to Delete: Users can ask you to remove their personal data.
The Right to Data Portability: Users can request a copy of their data in a format that’s easy to access.
The Right to Opt Out of Data Sales: Users can ask you not to sell their personal data.
The Right to Opt Out of Targeted Advertising: Users can opt out of having their data used for personalized ads.
Next, I’ll show you how to meet these UCPA requirements using WordPress tools and best practices.
How to Improve Your UCPA Compliance in WordPress
Navigating UCPA compliance can feel overwhelming at first. But at its core, it’s really about being clear with your audience and giving them control over how you collect and use their personal data.
Let’s get started. You can use the links below to jump to any section:
When it comes to UCPA compliance, the first step is understanding your own data. That means reviewing and recording every piece of personal information your website collects, uses, or stores.
To get started, you should make a list of all the WordPress plugins and external tools that interact with user data. This includes everything from analytics and email marketing tools to form builders and SEO plugins.
Once you’ve built that list, take a closer look at how each one handles user information.
For example, if you’ve created a quote request form, then your form builder might collect personal details like the visitor’s name, company, or job title.
To dig even deeper, ask yourself these questions:
What personal data do I collect? This might include names, email addresses, IP addresses, payment info, or anything else that could identify a user.
Where is this data stored? Is it saved on your server or sent to a third-party tool?
Why am I collecting it? Is it essential for your website to function, or just nice to have?
How long do I keep this data? Do you have a clear retention policy in place?
Am I sharing this data with anyone else? Are you passing it along to service providers, advertisers, or analytics platforms?
This kind of audit can quickly highlight any areas where you may need to update your data practices to stay compliant with the UCPA.
Create a Data Compliance Document
After you complete your data audit, the next step is documenting your findings. This means writing down every action you’ve taken to follow the UCPA, as well as any updates you’ve made to fix issues you discovered.
Creating this document gives you clear proof that you’re committed to protecting your users’ privacy. It’s especially helpful if you’re ever audited or if someone questions your compliance.
As I’ll mention throughout this guide, it’s not enough to quietly follow the UCPA behind the scenes. You also need to show that you’re complying with it.
That’s why you should record all the personal information you’ve collected in your compliance document. For each type of data, make sure to include:
Where the data comes from (for example, forms, plugins, or third-party tools)
Why you’re collecting it (whether it’s essential or optional)
How the data is used, shared, or sold
How long you keep it
Whether it falls under a special category (like sensitive or financial data)
What security steps you’re taking to protect it
Any third-party vendors or contracts involved
This kind of record shows regulators and your users that you’re taking privacy seriously.
As a general rule, it’s smart to do a full data audit at least once per year. It’s also a good idea to review your compliance if you install new plugins, change how you collect data, or make other major updates to your site.
Plus, since laws can change, it’s wise to re-check your compliance whenever the UCPA is updated.
Collect Less Data
Unlike some other privacy laws, the UCPA allows you to collect non-essential personal data, as long as you provide a clear privacy notice and give users the option to opt out.
Still, it’s smart to follow the principle of data minimization. This means only collecting the information you actually need.
Data minimization makes UCPA compliance much easier because:
You have less to search through if someone asks for a copy of their personal data.
You have less to delete if a user requests to be forgotten.
To get started, review the forms and tools on your site. Ask yourself: “Do I really need every detail I’m asking for?”
If the answer is no, it’s best to stop collecting it.
Create a Privacy Policy
A privacy policy is a page that clearly explains what personal data you collect, how you use it, and who you share it with.
Creating a detailed privacy policy is an important part of UCPA compliance because it helps visitors understand how you handle their information. Plus, it directly supports their Right to Know under the law.
Thankfully, WordPress includes a built-in privacy policy generator. You can find it by going to Settings » Privacy in your WordPress dashboard.
Even if you already have a privacy policy, it’s a good idea to update it with information specific to the UCPA. This includes clearly explaining user rights, such as the Right to Know, Right to Delete, and Right to Correction.
Plus, your policy should tell visitors how they can exercise those rights.
For example, you might include a link to a contact form where users can request a copy of their data or ask you to delete it.
Finally, make it a habit to review and update your privacy policy regularly. This helps ensure it reflects your current practices and stays aligned with any future changes to the UCPA.
Add a Cookie Popup
Under the UCPA, cookie consent follows an opt-out model. This means you can use non-essential cookies without asking first, as long as you give users a clear way to opt out.
What counts as non-essential? These include cookies used for analytics, advertising, or user behavior tracking. Anything not required for your site to function is considered non-essential under the UCPA.
Note: It’s important to note that for ‘sensitive data’ (like information about race, religion, health, or precise geolocation), the UCPA requires you to get a user’s permission before you collect it (opt-in).
The good news is that a cookie popup can help you stay compliant with both types of laws.
A clear, user-friendly banner can let visitors know what types of cookies your site uses, what data they collect, and why. It should also offer a simple way to opt out.
While many plugins offer cookie banners, WPConsent is my top pick because it’s easy to use and supports multiple privacy laws, including the UCPA and the PDPL.
We actually use WPConsent on WPBeginner to manage cookie banners and track user consent, and we’ve had a great experience.
💡 Want to learn more about how we use WPConsent on WPBeginner? Be sure to read our in-depth WPConsent review.
💡 Want to learn more about how we use WPConsent on WPBeginner? Then be sure to read our in-depth WPConsent review.
Once it’s active, WPConsent will automatically scan your website and detect all active cookies.
From there, the setup wizard helps you design your cookie banner. You can customize the layout, position, button styles, colors, and even add your logo.
As you make changes, WPConsent shows a live preview so you can see exactly how the banner will appear on your site.
When you’re happy with the design, just save your changes. The cookie banner will start appearing on your WordPress site right away.
Adding a cookie popup is a great first step. But it’s also a good idea to create a dedicated cookie policy that explains how your site uses cookies in more detail.
This helps visitors better understand what kind of personal information your site collects and how it’s used.
In your cookie policy, make sure to:
List all the types of cookies your site uses (such as essential, analytics, or marketing cookies).
Explain what each cookie does—for example, some cookies track website visitors or show personalized ads.
Describe the data each cookie collects, like IP addresses or browsing history.
To build trust, keep your language simple and easy to understand. Try to avoid technical terms or legal jargon whenever possible.
Once your policy is ready, make sure it’s easy to find. For example, you could link to it from your main privacy policy and also inside your cookie banner.
Fortunately, WPConsent can handle this entire process for you.
It can scan your site for cookies, then use that information to generate a cookie policy automatically.
To get started, go to WPConsent » Settings.
Inside the plugin settings, you need to choose the page where you want your cookie policy to appear.
WPConsent will then add the policy to that page automatically.
If you’re already using WPConsent to display a cookie banner, then your visitors can access the policy directly through the popup.
They just need to click the ‘Preferences’ button.
From there, they can select the ‘Cookie Policy’ link to visit the full page.
Here’s an example of what that looks like.
Block Third-Party Scripts
One tricky part of the UCPA is that it also applies to third-party tracking tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel.
Even though third-party tools handle the tracking, you’re legally responsible for how they collect and use visitor data on your site. That means you also need to give users a way to opt out.
A simple way to handle this is by using automatic script blocking. This prevents tracking scripts from running until the visitor gives consent.
This also supports the UCPA’s Right to Know by ensuring users understand what data is being collected before it happens.
Even though the UCPA follows an opt-out model, script blocking goes a step beyond minimum compliance by turning third-party tracking into an opt-in process.
Fortunately, WPConsent makes this easy with a built-in automatic script blocking feature.
It detects and blocks common tools like Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Facebook Pixel, without breaking your site.
Then, as soon as a visitor gives consent, the plugin loads the script immediately without reloading the page.
Track and Log Visitor Consent
Your UCPA data practices might still be questioned. For example, regulators could request an audit, or a customer might ask how their data is being handled.
That’s why it’s important to track and log user consent. This gives you clear, time-stamped proof that you’re honoring each user’s preferences.
WPConsent handles this for you automatically. It logs key details like the user’s IP address, their consent settings, and the exact date and time when they gave consent.
You can view this data anytime by going to WPConsent » Consent Logs in your WordPress dashboard.
If you ever need to share this log with someone—like an auditor or legal advisor—you can export it directly from your site.
Just open the Export tab, choose the date range you need, and click the ‘Export’ button.
WPConsent will generate a CSV file with all the logged consent data, ready for you to share if needed.
Give Users a Way to Opt Out (Do Not Track Form)
The UCPA gives users the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal data. You’re required to provide a clear and easy way for them to do that.
The simplest way to do this is by using WPConsent’s Do Not Track add-on. It lets you create a dedicated opt-out page with just a few clicks.
To get started, go to WPConsent » Do Not Track » Configuration in your WordPress dashboard.
WPConsent will walk you through the steps to install the add-on and create a Do Not Track form.
Once that’s done, visitors can fill out the form to opt out of data sales or sharing.
This gives users a clear, simple way to exercise their rights, and it also improves your site’s user experience.
Plus, WPConsent stores these requests locally in a custom database table on your own site. That means you stay in full control of this sensitive data, without needing to rely on an external platform.
It also records each request automatically, giving you clear proof of compliance if it’s ever needed.
Support the ‘Right to Delete’
The UCPA gives users the right to ask you to delete their personal data.
One of the simplest ways to support this is by adding a data erasure form to your WordPress site. That way, visitors can easily request deletion through a secure form.
This is where WPForms comes in. It’s a drag-and-drop form builder that includes a pre-built Right to Erasure form template.
The template name comes from GDPR, but don’t worry. Many compliance tools use GDPR-style naming, and this form works just as well for UCPA requests.
To use the template, go to WPForms » Add New.
Then, type “Right to Erasure” into the search box.
When the template appears, you need to click ‘Use Template’ to open it in the WPForms editor.
From here, you can customize the form to fit your needs. The left-hand panel shows the available fields, and the right-hand panel shows a live preview.
To update a field, just click on it in the preview. You can then change the label, instructions, or field type in the left-hand panel.
Once you’re happy with the form, click ‘Save’.
To add the form to a page or post, you need to open the editor, add a WPForms block, and choose your saved form from the dropdown list.
After that, go ahead and publish or update the page like you normally would.
🌟 At WPBeginner, we use WPForms across all our websites. It’s reliable, beginner-friendly, and flexible enough to support compliance tasks like this. If you want a full breakdown, check out our detailed WPForms review.
Once your form is live, make sure it’s easy to find. I recommend linking to it from your privacy policy or embedding it directly on that page.
WPForms also includes an entry management system. You can use it to view and filter submissions, which makes it easy to track and respond to deletion requests.
To view entries, go to WPForms » Entries in your dashboard.
Simply find your data erasure form and click it.
You’ll then see all the ‘delete data’ requests you’ve received.
Once someone requests deletion, WordPress has a built-in tool to help.
Just go to Tools » Erase Personal Data in your admin dashboard.
Enter the user’s email or username, and WordPress will handle the removal process.
You can also choose to send a confirmation email once the data has been erased.
Handle Data Access Requests Efficiently
Under the UCPA, visitors have the right to request a copy of all the personal data your website has collected about them.
The good news is that you can support this by adding a dedicated data access form to your site using WPForms.
WPForms includes a ready-made Data Request Form template. It’s designed to collect the information you need to identify users in your records and respond to their requests.
WPForms will automatically log each submission in your dashboard.
To review them, just go to WPForms » Entries.
You can now select your data request form to view all submissions.
Then, when you receive a request, you can export the user’s data using WordPress’s built-in tools.
Go to Tools » Export Personal Data in your admin dashboard.
You can then type in the person’s username or email address to find the correct record.
Then, simply share the .zip file with the person who made the request.
This helps you meet UCPA’s Right to Know requirement in a secure and user-friendly way.
Support the ‘Right to Correction’
Under the UCPA, people can ask you to correct or update their personal data if it’s wrong or incomplete.
This might happen after a user reviews a copy of their data. Or they may contact you directly if their personal details have changed, like a new phone number or address.
The simplest way to handle these requests is by adding a dedicated correction form to your site.
WPForms includes a Personal Information Form template that’s perfect for this. It even has an “Update Existing Record” checkbox to help you identify correction requests.
This template includes useful fields like legal name, nickname, email address, and phone number.
If you need more fields, then you can easily customize the form in WPForms’ drag-and-drop editor.
Once the form is published, make sure that users can find it easily.
I recommend linking to it from your privacy policy or adding it to your site footer.
As requests come in, you can process them manually depending on where the data is stored.
If the information is inside WordPress, you need to go to Users » All Users and click ‘Edit’ for the relevant profile.
Go ahead and update the necessary fields.
Then, scroll down and click ‘Update User’ to save the changes.
If you store data in a third-party tool—like a CRM or email marketing platform—then you just need to log into that tool to update the user’s profile.
UCPA Compliance in WordPress: FAQs
Understanding privacy laws can feel overwhelming at first. If you still have questions about how the UCPA affects your WordPress site, then you’re not alone.
At WPBeginner, we’re here to help you feel confident about compliance. So in this section, I’ll answer some of the most common questions we hear from our readers.
What happens if my WordPress site isn’t UCPA compliant?
If your WordPress site violates the UCPA, you could face fines of up to $7,500 per violation. You might also receive consumer complaints or trigger a regulatory investigation—both of which can damage your business and reputation.
How often should I review my site for UCPA compliance?
Privacy laws can change over time. That’s why it’s a good idea to review your compliance at least once per year, or whenever you update how your site collects or uses data.
Can I use the same compliance tools for UCPA and GDPR?
Yes, a good compliance tool should address multiple privacy regulations. For example, WPConsent can help you comply with the UCPA, GDPR, the Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD), Australia’s Privacy Principles (AAP), and many more international laws.
However, it’s worth noting that every tool is unique. Having said that, it’s important to do your research to ensure you’re meeting the specific rules of each regulation.
Additional Resources for UCPA Compliance
Taking a proactive approach and continuously learning is absolutely essential for maintaining UCPA compliance over the long term. Data privacy laws can evolve over time, and staying informed is crucial for protecting both your website and your audience.
That said, I’ve collected some helpful resources you can use to continue your learning journey and keep your WordPress site compliant:
The author decided to join a startup that folded quickly.
uchar/Getty Images
I was accepted into a Ph.D. in economics program, which was a dream come true.
But I was also offered a job at a startup that excited me, so I took the offer.
The startup folded, and I'm unsure if I regretted the decision.
When I received an email saying I had been accepted into the university of my choice for a Ph.D. program, I cried.
Furthering my education had always been an important goal for me, but it was one I didn't achieve easily. I battled Graves' disease through my early college years, which meant I was in and out of the classroom. I constantly played catch-up, and never thought I'd graduate. Understandably, the thought of enrolling in a Ph.D. economics program was a dream come true.
I'm a forward thinker, so I started imagining my interactions with my professors and what kind of thesis I'd work on. Although the annual tuition fees would put a great dent in my pocket, I was determined to work for it. I would have to strike a balance between school, family, and side hustles.
But then I got an offer I couldn't refuse.
My friend was working on an intriguing startup idea
While I was still planning for my program that was meant to begin in early fall, I met a friend who talked to me about a startup company he started and was taking off faster than he could keep up. It was exhilarating, and he thought I'd benefit from the experience.
The company wanted to disrupt financial access in underserved economies, and it was doing everything from product development and data modeling to pitching investors.
This friend had always been a dreamer and succeeded in most things he put his mind to. As he assured me, the startup wouldn't be an exception, especially because he had channeled all his savings toward it.
However, he wanted to bring me on board because I had an analytical background in economics. To be honest, the pay he suggested wasn't great, but the opportunity was stellar with potential for growth in skills and finances. My role would involve leveraging my skills in data analysis and understanding market dynamics.
He suggested I take some time to think about it.
I decided to take the job offer
I went back home and spent the majority of my time online looking through the company pages and comparing them to others that were thriving in the same field. It looked promising, and I wanted to be part of something great.
However, the team required someone who would work in the office full time, and logically, I wouldn't be able to be present for classes and work at the same time.
After a lot of back and forth, I thought working for the company was a one-time opportunity, and I was leaning toward it.
I looked up deferral programs and decided to consult with my school to seek their opinion on deferring my course for a year or two and then rejoining. The department didn't have deferrals, and the dean advised against it.
But the faculty told me that I could reapply a year later. I thought, if I was accepted once, I could be accepted again, so I started working for the startup.
The job didn't pan out as I expected
Everything was great in the first half of my work year. We embraced a team spirit, brought a few clients on board, and were on a steady path to growth. However, somewhere in the middle, we lost the plot.
We struggled to fit some of the company's products into a market that wasn't ready, and, most importantly, we faced a severe lack of funding.
After a long time of trying everything we could, the startup folded.
Looking back on my decision
I had mixed feelings about turning down school. In some ways, I feel like a failure. I was depressed and sunk deep into hopelessness. I haven't reapplied to my Ph.D. program yet, and I'm not sure I will anytime soon.
In hindsight, walking away from an opportunity to further my studies so I could join a startup was a risk, but it was also a rewarding experience in itself. I gained immense experience and made connections I wouldn't have made in academia.
I learned what it means to build something from the ground up, even if it doesn't work out.
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy, and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here.
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