When I first learned about the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), I’ll admit I felt a bit overwhelmed.

As someone who’s managed WordPress sites for many years, the idea of learning yet another privacy law felt like a lot. But when I dug into it, I realized it’s more straightforward than it looks.

Still, I’ve seen plenty of site owners make compliance harder than it needs to be—either by overcomplicating the process or missing simple steps.

That’s why I created this guide. I’ll walk you through the VCDPA’s core requirements step by step and share the tools I use to improve WordPress compliance without getting overwhelmed by legal jargon.

What is the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA)?

The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) is a state privacy law that gives Virginia residents more control over their personal data. This includes information that can identify someone directly or indirectly—like names, email addresses, IP addresses, or data collected through website forms or tracking tools.

Even if your business isn’t based in Virginia, the VCDPA might still apply to your WordPress site. What matters is whether you collect personal data from Virginia residents.

That said, the law doesn’t apply to every site. It’s mainly aimed at larger businesses and organizations.

Generally, you need to comply with the VCDPA if you:

• Control or process the personal data of 100,000 or more Virginia consumers in a calendar year, or
• Control or process the personal data of at least 25,000 Virginia consumers and get over 50% of your total revenue from selling personal data.

Keep in mind that the law also only applies to businesses or organizations operating for commercial purposes.

If your site fits one of those categories, then it’s essential to understand how the VCDPA works and what steps you need to take to stay compliant.

Why Should WordPress Users Care About VCDPA Compliance?

If your WordPress site falls under the VCDPA, then staying compliant helps you avoid potential penalties. The Virginia Attorney General enforces the VCDPA, and violations can lead to fines of up to $7,500 per incident.

Fortunately, you’ll usually receive a 30-day warning and a chance to fix the issue before any penalties are applied.

It’s also worth noting that consumers can’t directly sue you under this law. Only the Attorney General can take action, which adds a layer of protection, but doesn’t mean you should ignore compliance.

More importantly, showing that you care about user privacy helps build trust with your audience.

When visitors know you’re being transparent and responsible with their data, they’re more likely to stick around, sign up for your email newsletter, or make a purchase from your online store.

Simply put, staying compliant is not just a legal duty. It’s also a key part of building trust and achieving long-term success.

How VCDPA Affects Your WordPress Site

If your site is covered by the VCDPA, then you’re required to support several privacy rights for your visitors. That means making it easy for Virginia residents to control how their personal data is collected, used, and deleted.

As a WordPress site owner, here are the main rights you need to understand and support:

• The Right to Know: Visitors can ask what personal data you’ve collected about them.
• The Right to Correction: They can request that you fix any incorrect or outdated information.
• The Right to Opt-Out: Users can ask you not to sell or share their personal data with other companies.
• The Right to Data Portability: They can request a copy of their personal data in a format they can use elsewhere, like a ZIP file.
• The Right to Delete: Users can ask you to permanently delete the data you’ve collected about them.

Throughout this guide, I’ll show you how to support each of these rights using WordPress tools and beginner-friendly strategies.

How to Improve Your VCDPA Compliance in WordPress

VCDPA compliance may sound technical. But at its core, it’s about being transparent with your visitors and giving them control over their personal data.

As a WordPress site owner, there are practical steps you can take to meet these requirements. These include limiting how much data you collect, creating clear policies, and making it easy for users to opt out or request changes.

In this article, I will walk you through each part of the process. You can follow them step-by-step or jump to the parts that apply to your site using the links below:

Perform a Data Audit

The first step to VCDPA compliance is understanding how your website collects and stores personal data. That means reviewing the tools, plugins, and services you use—and documenting the information they gather.

To start, I recommend making a list of every WordPress plugin on your site, along with any third-party tools that interact with user data. This could include analytics platforms, form builders, or SEO tools.

Once you have that list, check what kind of personal information each tool collects. For example, if you’ve added a quote request form, you’ll want to record whether it asks for names, company details, or job titles.

To guide your audit, ask yourself:

• What personal data do I collect? This includes names, email addresses, IP addresses, payment details, and any other data submitted through forms or comments.
• Where is this data stored? Is it saved on your own server or sent to an outside service?
• Why am I collecting this information? The VCDPA says data must be “adequate, relevant, and reasonably necessary” for your stated purpose.
• How long do I keep it? You should only store personal data as long as it’s needed for its original purpose.
• Do I share this data with anyone? This includes service providers, third-party tools, or advertising networks. Be sure to note whether any of this data is used for targeted ads.

Once you’ve completed your audit, you’ll have a clear picture of what data you collect, where it’s stored, and what you need to adjust to meet VCDPA requirements.

Create a Data Compliance Record

After completing your data audit, the next step is to keep a written record of what you found. This document should explain the actions you’ve already taken to follow the VCDPA, along with any updates or fixes you made during your audit.

By creating this record, you’ll have clear proof that you take privacy seriously. That can be helpful if you’re ever audited or if someone asks about your compliance practices.

As you’ll see throughout this guide, it’s not enough to follow the VCDPA behind the scenes. You also need to be able to show that you’re doing things the right way.

Every business website is different, but I recommend running a new data audit and updating your records at least once per year.

You should also update your records any time you change how your site collects or uses personal data. For example, after installing a new plugin that collects user info, or when the law itself changes, it’s a good time to revisit your audit and notes.

Keeping this record up to date doesn’t take much time, and it’ll make compliance much easier in the long run.

Collect Less Data

The VCDPA says you should only collect personal data that’s “adequate, relevant, and reasonably necessary” to meet a specific goal.

In other words: don’t collect anything you don’t truly need.

This idea is known as data minimization. It means reviewing what you currently collect and looking for ways to reduce it. If a piece of information isn’t essential for your site to function—or for the task at hand—it’s better to leave it out.

After completing your data audit, carefully review all the information you collect. Ask yourself: “Do I truly need every single piece of information I’m asking for?”

If something isn’t necessary, remove it. The less data you collect, the easier it is to stay compliant, and the less you’ll have to manage when users make requests.

This approach also builds trust. By avoiding unnecessary questions, you show that you respect your visitors’ privacy and value their time.

Create a Privacy Policy

A privacy policy is a page on your website that clearly explains what personal data you collect, how you use it, and who you share it with.

Having a clear, up-to-date privacy policy is essential for VCDPA compliance. It helps visitors understand how their information is handled and directly supports the VCDPA’s Right to Know requirement.

To make things easier, WordPress includes a built-in tool for creating a privacy policy. You can find it by going to Settings » Privacy in your WordPress dashboard. 

Alternatively, you can use our own WPBeginner privacy policy page as a starting point. 

Just remember to change all mentions of ‘WPBeginner’ to your specific business or website name. 

Want more detailed instructions? We also have a complete, step-by-step guide on how to add a privacy policy in WordPress.

If your site already has a privacy policy, that’s great, but you’ll still need to review and update it to reflect the VCDPA.

In particular, make sure it covers the key rights your visitors have:

• Right to Know
• Right to Delete
• Right to Correction
• Right to Opt Out

You’ll also need to explain how users can act on those rights. For example, you might link to a contact form where visitors can request access to their data, or provide steps for updating their profile information.

Finally, don’t forget to keep your privacy policy up to date. This ensures it always reflects your current data practices and any changes to the VCDPA.

Add a Cookie Popup

Many websites use cookies to track user behavior, display ads, or measure analytics. If your site does this, the VCDPA expects you to inform users and give them a way to opt out.

Unlike the GDPR, which requires visitors to actively agree before data is collected, the VCDPA follows an opt-out model. That means you can often collect data by default—as long as users are told what’s being collected and can say no if they want to.

One of the simplest ways to meet this requirement is by adding a cookie popup. A good popup should explain what types of cookies your site uses, what data is being collected, and how that information is used. It should also give users a clear way to opt out.

I recommend using WPConsent for this. It’s the same plugin we use on WPBeginner to manage cookie banners and user consent.

It works well for WordPress beginners and is actively updated to follow privacy laws like the VCDPA, GDPR, and CCPA.

You can also find a free version of WPConsent in the WordPress plugin directory.

To get started, simply install and activate the plugin.

After you activate it, WPConsent will automatically scan your site for active cookies. It will then record all the cookies it finds. 

Next, WPConsent’s setup wizard will help you change how your cookie popup looks. You can adjust the layout, the text size, button styles, colors, and even add your own custom logo. 

As you make changes, WPConsent will show a live preview. This lets you see exactly how the banner will look on your WordPress website. 

When you’re happy with how everything is set up, just save your changes. The cookie banner will then appear on your WordPress website, helping you comply with the VCDPA.

For more detailed instructions, see our full guide on how to add a cookie popup in WordPress.

Write a Separate Cookie Policy 

A cookie popup is a good starting point, but it’s also smart to create a dedicated cookie policy.

This separate page gives visitors more detail about how your site uses cookies. That way, they can better understand what personal information you collect and how it’s used.

In your cookie policy, you should list all the different types of cookies you use on your site. For example, you might use essential cookies (required for your site to work), analytics cookies (to measure website traffic), or marketing cookies (for advertising).

You should also explain what each type of cookie does. For example, some cookies might track user behavior or deliver targeted ads.

It’s also a good idea to describe what kinds of personal data each cookie collects. This might include a visitor’s IP address, device type, or browsing activity.

To build trust, keep your cookie policy easy to understand. This means you should avoid technical terms or legal words that are hard to follow. Instead, use clear and direct language that anyone can read.

Once your cookie policy is written, make sure it’s easy to find. I recommend linking to it from your footer and your cookie popup, as well as your main privacy policy.

Luckily, a tool like WPConsent can do much of this for you. 

As you saw earlier, when you first install WPConsent, it automatically scans your site and identifies any active cookies.

To do this, go to WPConsent » Settings. 

In the plugin’s settings, choose the page where you want to display the cookie policy.

WPConsent will then add this policy to your chosen page. It’s that simple. 

If you’re using WPConsent to display a cookie popup, then visitors can now access this policy directly from the popup itself.

They just need to select the ‘Preferences’ button. 

From there, they can click the ‘Cookie Policy’ link. 

WPConsent will then take them straight to the correct page.

Block Third-Party Scripts

One of the most challenging things about VCDPA compliance is that it also covers external tracking tools. These include popular services like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel.

The reason for this is simple: these tracking tools often collect visitor data. Under the VCDPA, you’re responsible for managing how these third-party tools collect, store, and use that personal information.

You also need to give visitors a way to stop these tools from tracking them if they choose.

So, how do you control tracking scripts from other companies? There’s an easy answer: automatic script blocking.

The VCDPA generally allows the use of tracking tools unless a visitor opts out, especially when used for targeted advertising. But a best practice for building user trust is to block tracking scripts until the visitor opts in.

This approach goes beyond VCDPA requirements and also helps you comply with stricter laws like GDPR. With this feature, scripts won’t load until the visitor explicitly agrees.

It also provides visitors with the information they need to understand what they’re agreeing to before you collect any data. This helps you meet the VCDPA’s Right to Know rule.

Plus, you’re getting a head start on complying with other privacy laws like Europe’s GDPR, which does require opt-in consent. It’s a great way to make your website’s privacy practices strong all around. 

Fortunately, WPConsent has an automatic script blocking feature that works out of the box.

Simply activate the plugin, and it will find and block common tracking scripts automatically. This includes tools like Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Facebook Pixel. Even better, WPConsent does this without breaking your site.

As soon as a visitor gives their consent, WPConsent will run the blocked script. This provides a very smooth user experience because the page does not need to reload.

Track and Log Visitor Consent

Even if you follow all the VCDPA rules, regulators might still question how you handle data or even audit your site.

If this happens, you’ll need to prove that you’re respecting your audience’s choices. That’s why it’s important to keep a detailed record of user consent.

WPConsent makes this easy by automatically logging each user’s consent. It saves all the important details, including the user’s IP address, their consent choices, and the exact date and time they made those choices.

You can see this information at any time by going to WPConsent » Consent Logs in your WordPress dashboard.

Need to share this information with an auditor or team member? You can export it from your WordPress dashboard in just a few clicks.

To do this, just click the ‘Export’ tab. Then, enter the ‘From Date’ and ‘To Date’ for the export. This creates a CSV file, ready for you to share with auditors, customers, and anyone else who needs access.

Provide an Easy Opt-Out for Data Sales

Under the VCDPA, if your site sells or shares personal data, then you must give visitors a way to opt out.

The easiest way to do this in WordPress is with WPConsent’s Do Not Track add-on. Despite its name, it gives you exactly what you need to meet the VCDPA’s opt-out of sale requirement.

To get started, go to WPConsent » Do Not Track » Configuration inside your WordPress dashboard. 

WPConsent will then guide you through the steps to install this add-on and create a ‘Do Not Track’ form. 

Once it’s active, visitors can fill out a simple form to opt out of the sale or sharing of their data.

Even better, WPConsent stores all opt-out requests directly on your website in a secure table. That way, you keep full control over sensitive data instead of depending on external services.

It also logs each request automatically, giving you built-in proof of compliance in case of an audit.

Support the ‘Right to Delete’

As I mentioned earlier, the VCDPA gives users the right to ask you to delete their personal data.

There are different ways to handle these requests, but the easiest is to add a ‘data erasure’ form to your site.

This is where WPForms can help. It’s a user-friendly form builder that lets you create all kinds of forms using a drag-and-drop editor.

When it comes to fulfilling the VCDPA’s ‘Right to Delete’, WPForms comes with a ready-made Right to Erasure Request Form template.

This provides a strong starting point, so you can add this important form to your site quickly and easily. 

After installing WPForms, you can customize the Right to Erasure Request Form template in a user-friendly editor. This makes it easy to add, remove, and change the default fields.

When you’re happy with how the form is set up, you can add it to your site using either a shortcode or the WPForms block. 

Finally, you’ll want to make sure visitors can find this form easily. I recommend linking to it from your privacy policy or even embedding the form directly on your privacy policy page.

WPForms also includes an entry management system that lets you filter form submissions and act on new deletion requests right away.

To review your entries, go to WPForms » Entries in the WordPress dashboard. 

You’ll now see all the different forms you’ve created. Simply find the data erasure form and give it a click.

WPForms will now display all your ‘delete data’ requests.

To process these requests, you can use WordPress’s built-in ‘Erase Personal Data’ tool, which lets you delete user information with just a few clicks.

To begin, go to Tools » Erase Personal Data. 

In the ‘Username or email address’ field, type in the user’s name or email.

This tool also has a ‘Send personal data erasure confirmation email’ setting. You can use it to let the user know you’ve deleted their data.

For full VCDPA compliance, you’ll also need to delete this data from any other tools or services where it’s stored.

By creating this clear process, you are making it easy for users to exercise their ‘Right to Delete,’ which is a core part of VCDPA compliance.

Handle Data Access Requests Efficiently

Under the VCDPA, visitors have two related rights: the right to access their data and the Right to Data Portability. This means they can request a copy of their personal data in a format that’s easy to use.

The good news is you can handle these requests the same way you manage data deletion.

To start, you can add a data access form to your site using WPForms. It includes a ready-made Data Request template designed to collect all the information needed to identify the user in your records.

After adding this form to your site, WPForms will automatically record and show all access requests directly in your WordPress dashboard.

That way, you can view and respond to new requests as they arrive.

To review these requests, just go to WPForms » Entries. 

Here, select your data request form. WPForms will then show all the entries for this form.

WordPress also includes a built-in Export Personal Data tool. You can use this to get all known data for any user, conveniently packaged as a .zip file. 

To create this file, go to Tools » Export Personal Data in your WordPress 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.

Support the ‘Right to Correction’

Under the VCDPA, people can ask you to correct or update their personal data if it’s wrong or incomplete. 

This might happen after a user requests and reviews a copy of their personal data. Or, some visitors may contact you directly if their information changes.

For example, they might move to a new address, get a new phone number, or want to update other details they previously shared with you.

As with the other user rights, the easiest way to comply with the VCDPA is by adding a form to your site. And once again, WPForms has a ready-made template designed for this exact task.

The Personal Information Form Template comes with a built-in ‘Update Existing Record’ checkbox. Users can check this box to show they’re sending information to update a profile you already have for them.

This means you’ll immediately know why the user submitted this form. 

This template comes with many essential fields already included, such as legal name, preferred nickname, email address, home phone, and cell phone.

However, every website stores different kinds of information, so you may need to customize the form to collect additional details.

In that case, you can simply open the template in the WPForms editor. Here, you can add more fields to the form using simple drag-and-drop.

You can then fine-tune these fields using the left-hand panel. Just repeat these steps until the form collects all the information your users might want to edit.

With that done, you can publish the form on your site as normal.

Don’t forget to make your correction form easy to find on your site. I recommend adding a link in important places, such as your website’s footer or privacy policy.

Remember that WPForms shows all form entries directly in your WordPress dashboard. This makes it easy to spot data correction requests as they come in.

How you update a user’s information will depend on the tools and software your site uses. For example, you might need to update a record inside your customer relationship management (CRM) app or email management software.

If the data is stored directly in WordPress, go to Users » All Users in your dashboard.

Here, find the user profile you need to update and click its ‘Edit’ link. 

You will now see all the essential information WordPress has stored for that user.

From here, you can make any necessary changes and then save the user’s updated profile.

FAQs About VCDPA Compliance in WordPress

VCDPA compliance can seem overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be.

To help you out, here are some of the most common VCDPA questions we hear at WPBeginner.

These answers cover the key parts of VCDPA compliance, clear up common concerns, and show you how to stay on the right side of the law.

What Is VCDPA and How Does It Affect My WordPress Site?

The VCDPA is a privacy law that gives Virginia residents more control over their personal data.

If your WordPress site handles personal data of Virginia residents and meets certain thresholds (such as processing the data of 100,000 or more consumers), then you must follow the VCDPA in order to avoid penalties. 

How Does VCDPA Differ From GDPR?

Both the VCDPA and GDPR focus on protecting personal data. However, the VCDPA applies specifically to residents of Virginia. 

It also has some unique rules not found in GDPR. For example, VCDPA generally uses an ‘opt-out’ approach for most data collection. This means you can collect data unless a user specifically tells you not to. 

Meanwhile, the GDPR typically requires an opt-in, which means you need to get the user’s clear agreement before collecting their data. 

That’s why it’s important to understand which privacy laws apply to your site.

What Should I Do If I Receive a Data Request (Like a Right to Delete Request)?

If you get a request from a Virginia resident to access, delete, or correct their personal data, you must respond as soon as possible, but in all cases within 45 days.

This period may be extended once by another 45 days when reasonably necessary, as long as you inform the consumer within the first 45-day window.

This means confirming the request, providing the requested data, and taking the correct action, like deleting that data.

Since you’re on a deadline, it’s important to have a clear process for handling these requests.

How Do Small Websites Handle VCDPA Compliance?

Smaller websites may need to comply if they meet the VCDPA thresholds for processing Virginia consumer data. This means they:

• Process the personal data of 100,000 or more Virginia consumers in a year, OR
• Process data of at least 25,000 consumers and get over 50% of their total income from selling that data.

If your site qualifies, here’s how you can start working toward compliance:

• Setting up plugins to help with privacy management, such as cookie consent tools and form plugins for collecting data requests.
• Avoid collecting unnecessary data, and stick to data minimization.
• Ensure all data collection methods follow the VCDPA rules.
• Keep your privacy and cookie policies up to date so they reflect your current practices.

Even if you’re running a smaller site, having the right tools and processes in place can make VCDPA compliance much easier and help you build trust with your audience along the way.

Additional Resources for Privacy Compliance

Complying with privacy laws isn’t a one-time task. You’ll need to continue learning and working on your site to remain in line with the law.

With that said, here are some resources to help you on that journey:

• How to Add a Privacy Policy in WordPress – This guide shows you how to create a privacy policy that meets VCDPA standards. You’ll also find tools and templates that you can use to create a privacy policy that covers all legal requirements. 
• Best WordPress Security Plugins to Protect Your Site – Our top pick of the best plugins for keeping users and their personal information safe.
• Beginner’s Guide to PDPL Compliance – Do some of your visitors or users live in Saudi Arabia? If so, then you need to comply with another important privacy law: the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL).
• The Ultimate Guide to WordPress and CCPA Compliance – While the CCPA  shares some goals with VCDPA, it has different requirements for businesses and consumer rights. This guide has all the information you need to understand those differences.
• UCPA Compliance in WordPress: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide – This resource helps you understand the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA) and how it differs from the VCDPA. 

I hope this beginner’s guide to VCDPA compliance for WordPress websites has helped you understand this important privacy law. Next, you may want to see our expert picks for the best GDPR plugins to improve compliance, or see our guide on how to keep personally identifiable info out of Google Analytics. 

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Beginner’s Guide to VCDPA Compliance in WordPress first appeared on WPBeginner.

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.

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:

Perform a Data Audit

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.

Feel free to use our own WPBeginner privacy policy page as a template.

Just make sure to replace every mention of ‘WPBeginner’ with your own site or business name.

If you need more guidance, we also have a complete step-by-step tutorial on how to add a privacy policy in WordPress.

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.

This is different from stricter laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where you must get consent before setting non-essential cookies.

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.

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.

To get started, simply install and activate the plugin.

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.

For full instructions, check out our complete guide on how to add a cookie popup in WordPress.

Write a Separate Cookie Policy 

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.

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.

For the best results, you can make this part of your regular WordPress maintenance routine.

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 Ultimate Guide to WordPress and CCPA Compliance. Find out how to make your site compliant with another important privacy law: the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). 
• Beginner’s Guide to PDPL Compliance for WordPress Websites: Is there a chance some of your visitors and users might live in Saudi Arabia? Then you may also need to comply with the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL)
• How to Make Google Fonts Privacy-Friendly
• How to Know if Your WordPress Website Uses Cookies
• How to Stop Storing IP Addresses in WordPress Comments
• The Ultimate WordPress Security Guide – Step by Step

I hope this ultimate beginner’s guide to WordPress UCPA compliance has helped you understand this important privacy law. Next, you may want to see our expert picks for the best WordPress security plugins or our guide on how to keep personally identifiable info out of Google Analytics.  

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post UCPA Compliance in WordPress: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I launched my first WordPress website, I wasn’t thinking about privacy laws. Like most beginners, I was focused on creating helpful content and getting more traffic.

But times have changed. Now, I hear from many small business owners who are worried about data privacy. Laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) sound intimidating, and with fines reaching $7,500 per violation, it’s easy to see why.

If you’ve felt that same pressure, you’re not alone. Trying to stay compliant while growing your website can feel overwhelming.

That’s exactly why I put this guide together. I’ll walk you through a beginner-friendly, step-by-step plan to help you meet CCPA requirements without getting lost in legal jargon. You’ll learn what data your site collects, how to manage it properly, and which tools can help you stay compliant.

What is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)? 

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have the right to control how companies collect and use their personal information.

It’s also important to know that the CCPA’s definition of ‘personal information’ is very broad. It includes things like names, email addresses, browsing history, and even biometric data. 

Just like other privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), CCPA doesn’t just affect businesses based in California.

It can actually affect many WordPress websites, blogs, and organizations all over the world. If you handle data related to people living in California, then the CCPA may apply to you, regardless of your location.

Now, before you start to worry, it’s important to know that the CCPA doesn’t apply to every single website. It’s mainly aimed at larger businesses.

Generally, your for-profit business needs to comply with the CCPA if it meets one or more of these conditions:

• Has an annual gross revenue of over $25 million.
• Buys, sells, or shares the personal information of 100,000 or more California residents or households per year.
• Gets 50% or more of its annual revenue from selling or sharing California residents’ personal information.

Does your website or business meet these criteria? Then it’s absolutely essential you understand what the CCPA is and what it requires.

Why Should WordPress Users Care About CCPA Compliance?

Ignoring the CCPA can have some pretty serious consequences, including large fines. For example, if you intentionally breach this law, you could be fined as much as $7,500 per violation. 

Even if you break the rules by mistake, the consequences can still be tough. Non-intentional CCPA violations can cost you up to $2,500 per incident. So, even an accident can lead to huge financial penalties.

Plus, complying with the CCPA is about more than just avoiding fines. By giving visitors more control over their personal information, you’re proving that you’re trustworthy. This can get you more signups, conversions, and sales, helping to grow your online business.

By contrast, breaking the CCPA can really hurt your reputation, even if the violation was a complete accident. 

How CCPA Affects Your WordPress Site

CCPA compliance is a big topic, but as a broad overview, there are three core principles that will affect you as a WordPress blog or website owner: 

• The Right to Know: Users can ask what personal data you collect about them.
• The Right to Delete: Users can ask you to delete their personal data.
• The Right to Opt-Out: Users can tell you not to sell their personal information to other companies. 

In this ultimate guide, I will share many tips, techniques, and tools to help you comply with each of these core CCPA principles.

How to Improve Your CCPA Compliance in WordPress

Navigating CCPA compliance can feel like a complex task. But at its core, it’s really all about being clear and open with your users. You also need to give them ways to control how (and if) you collect and use their personal information.

I can’t guarantee that these are the only steps you’ll need to take, but following this guide will put you on the right path to compliance.

That said, let’s get started! You can click the links below to jump ahead to any section:

Perform a Data Audit

As with most data compliance laws, the first step is to identify and document all the different types of personal data you collect, process, and store. This means performing a complete data audit of your website.

I recommend starting by listing all the WordPress plugins and tools that gather data on your site, such as analytics plugins, form builders, and SEO plugins.

You can then carefully evaluate how each one handles user information.

For example, if you’ve created a quote request form on your website, then your form builder plugin might collect the visitor’s name, company name, and job title.

To go a bit deeper, try asking yourself these questions for each tool:

• What specific personal data does it collect? This might be names, email addresses, IP addresses, payment details, or any other form of personal information.   
• Where is this data stored? Is it stored locally on your server or sent to a third-party service? 
• Why is this data being collected? Is it essential, or non-essential? And how are you using that data? 
• How long is this data kept? Do you have a data retention policy for it?
• Is this data shared with anyone? In particular, are there any service providers or advertisers involved? 

This may immediately reveal areas where you need to adjust your data handling practices to comply with CCPA. This could involve changing what data you collect, how long you keep it, or who you share that information with.

Collect Less Data 

There’s an easy way to protect your users’ privacy: avoid collecting information you don’t actually need. This is called data minimization. 

It means you only gather the information that’s absolutely essential for your site to work properly. By doing this, you instantly make CCPA compliance much simpler. 

After performing a data audit, I recommend looking critically at all the data you currently collect. Do you really need every piece of information you ask for? 

Data minimization also plays a big part in building trust with your audience. By not asking intrusive questions or gathering unnecessary personal details, you clearly demonstrate that you respect their privacy. This, in turn, will make users feel more confident and comfortable interacting with your website.

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 that information with.

Creating a detailed and comprehensive privacy policy is essential for CCPA compliance, as it helps visitors understand how you collect, store, and use their personal information. 

The good news is that WordPress comes with a built-in privacy policy generator that you can use to get started by going to Settings » Privacy in your WordPress dashboard.

Alternatively, you can always refer to our WPBeginner privacy policy page as a strong starting point.

If you use our template, then just remember to replace all references to WPBeginner with the name of your business website or blog. 

We also have a complete, step-by-step guide on how to add a privacy policy in WordPress. 

Do you already have a privacy policy in place? Then I still recommend updating it with specific information about the CCPA. In particular, you’ll need to explain your users’ rights under the CCPA, such as their Right to Know, Right to Delete, and Right to Opt-Out.

Even more importantly, you must clearly tell visitors how to exercise their CCPA rights.

For example, you could link to a contact form where they can ask for a copy of their data (their Right to Know). Alternatively, you might show them how to request that you delete all their personal information (their Right to Delete). 

Finally, it’s important to regularly review and update your privacy policy. This helps you make sure it always accurately represents your current data handling practices and stays compliant with evolving laws. 

Add a Cookie Popup

Unlike some other privacy laws, the CCPA doesn’t always require users to actively opt in to data collection.

However, the CCPA strongly emphasizes two key points: users have the right to know about data collection, and they have the right to opt out if they choose.

The good news is that a cookie popup can help you achieve both of these important goals. 

A well-designed popup can clearly inform visitors about the types of cookies you use, what data they collect, and why you’re collecting it (their Right to Know). It can also give users a straightforward and easy way to exercise their Right to Opt Out.

There are many different cookie banner plugins on the market. However, I highly recommend using WPConsent because it makes adding a cookie popup or banner to your site incredibly simple.

WPConsent is a privacy compliance plugin designed to help you meet many different privacy standards, including the CCPA. 

We actually use WPConsent to display cookie banners and manage user consent across all our own websites, including WPBeginner. This firsthand experience has shown us just how effective and user-friendly WPConsent is.

To get started, you simply install and activate the plugin, as normal.

Upon activation, WPConsent will scan your entire site for active cookies and record all the ones it finds. 

Next, WPConsent’s helpful setup wizard will show you how to customize your cookie popup.

As you make changes, WPConsent will display a live preview, allowing you to see exactly how the banner will appear on your WordPress website.

You can then adjust the layout, position, font size, button style, colors, and even add your own custom logo.

When you’re happy with how everything looks, just save your changes, and you’re done. The cookie banner will now appear on your WordPress website.

For details, see our guide on how to add a cookie popup in WordPress.

Write a Separate Cookie Policy 

In addition to a popup or banner, it’s also a good idea to create a cookie policy with specific details about how your site uses cookies. This helps visitors better understand how you collect and use their personal information.

In your cookie policy, you should clearly list the different types of cookies your site uses, like essential, analytics, or marketing cookies. You can also explain their purpose, such as tracking website visitors or delivering targeted advertisements. 

I also recommend explaining what personal information these cookies collect, like IP addresses or browsing history.

To encourage visitor trust, you should keep your cookie policy easy to understand. This means avoiding technical terms or legal jargon. Instead, use clear and straightforward language that anyone can follow.

Visitors should be able to find your cookie policy easily. I recommend adding a link to it within your main privacy policy and also inside your cookie banner.

Thankfully, a tool like WPConsent can handle all this for you. As I’ve already shown, WPConsent can scan your site and identify all active cookies. 

But WPConsent can also use this information to generate a cookie policy. You can find this setting by going to WPConsent » Settings.

Within the plugin’s settings, simply select the page where you want to display the cookie policy.

WPConsent will then go ahead and add this policy to your chosen page. It’s as easy as that!

Are you using WPConsent to display a cookie popup? Then visitors can easily access this cookie policy directly.

They simply have to click on the ‘Preferences’ button.

Then, they’ll need to select the ‘Cookie Policy’ link.

And that’s it! WPConsent will take them straight to the right page.

Block Third-Party Scripts 

One of the trickiest things about CCPA compliance is that it also applies to any external tracking tools you’re using on your site. This includes things like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel.

That’s because these tracking tools often collect data from your visitors. According to CCPA, you’re responsible for managing how these third-party tools collect, store, and use this data. You also need to let visitors opt out of these third-party tools, if they choose.

So, how do you control external tracking tools? I recommend using automatic script blocking.

This feature stops tracking scripts from loading until the visitor clearly gives their consent. This helps you meet the CCPA’s Right to Know requirement, as visitors clearly understand what they’re agreeing to.

Here, you’re also making third-party tracking opt-in rather than just opt-out. This approach goes beyond the basic standards set by the CCPA.

By taking things one step further, you’re demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting visitor privacy. It shows that your priority is user data protection, rather than simply meeting the minimum standards outlined by the CCPA.

Thankfully, WPConsent has an automatic script blocking feature that works out of the box. Behind the scenes, it automatically detects and blocks common tracking scripts like Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Facebook Pixel, without causing your site to break. 

As soon as the visitor gives their consent, WPConsent executes the script instantly. This means it provides a truly seamless user experience because it doesn’t need to reload the page.

Track and Log Visitor Consent

Even if you’re following CCPA regulations perfectly, there’s always a chance your data handling practices might be questioned. You could even get audited by regulators.

If that happens, you’ll need to prove that you’re respecting your visitors’ choices. With that in mind, it’s super important to track and log user consent.

By keeping a comprehensive log, you’ll always have concrete proof that you’re complying with all the CCPA’s requirements.

Once again, WPConsent does the hard work for you by automatically logging user consent. It records all essential details, including the user’s IP address, their specific consent choices, and the date and time when those choices were registered.

WPConsent then displays all this information directly within your WordPress dashboard. You can find it by going to WPConsent » Consent Logs.

Do you need to share this log with someone else, such as an auditor? You can simply export it from your WordPress dashboard, making it easy to provide proof of your compliance.

Build Trust with Opt-Outs

Under the CCPA, you must give visitors a way to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information.

The easiest way to do this is by using WPConsent’s Do Not Track add-on. This lets you add a dedicated ‘Do Not Track’ page to your site with just a few clicks. 

You can find it by going to WPConsent » Do Not Track » Configuration in your dashboard.

Visitors can simply head over to this page and opt out of selling or sharing their personal data.

This straightforward approach enables visitors to exercise their rights without confusion or delay, providing a fantastic user experience. 

Even better, WPConsent stores all these requests locally in a custom table directly on your site.

In this way, you maintain full control over this sensitive data, and you’re not relying on external services to store crucial compliance records.

And WPConsent records all user requests. This means you can provide clear proof of compliance if you’re ever audited or a user asks about their opt-out status.

Support the ‘Right to Delete’

As I’ve already mentioned, the CCPA clearly states that users can request that you delete their personal data.

There are several ways to do this, but I recommend adding a data deletion form to your site. You can easily do this using a powerful form builder plugin like WPForms. 

In fact, WPForms has a dedicated Right to Erasure Request Form template that provides a great starting point, helping you set up this important compliance feature quickly and easily. 

After adding this form to your site, I recommend linking to it from your privacy policy page. Alternatively, you can embed it directly on the page. Whatever approach you take, the key is to ensure that visitors can easily find the form.

WPForms also has a powerful entry management system. This means you can easily filter all the submissions from your various forms and identify any data deletion requests that need to be actioned quickly.

To review your entries, simply head over to WPForms » Entries. Here, you’ll see a list of all the forms across your WordPress website.

Simply find your data erasure form and click it.

You’ll now see all your ‘delete data’ requests.

So, what happens when you receive a data deletion request? 

The good news is that WordPress has a built-in Erase Personal Data tool. Just head over to Tools » Erase Personal Data to access it.

In the ‘Username or email address’ field, type in the user’s information you want to remove.

This tool even includes a ‘Send personal data erasure confirmation email’ setting, which lets the user know when you have completed their request. 

Handle Data Access Requests Efficiently

Users should be able to request a copy of all the personal information you’ve collected about them. Thankfully, you can handle this in much the same way as the data deletion requests we just covered. 

To start, you can add a dedicated form to your site using WPForms. Once again, WPForms makes things very straightforward by offering a ready-made Data Request template.

This template is designed to gather all the information you need to fulfill the user’s request efficiently.

After adding this form to your site, WPForms will automatically log and display all these requests directly in your WordPress dashboard. This makes it easy to identify data access requests as they come in, so you can act on them quickly.

Once again, to see these submissions, go to WPForms » Entries. Here, select your data request form.

You’ll now see all the entries for this form.

You’ll also be happy to learn that WordPress has a built-in Export Personal Data tool. You can use this tool to export all the known data for any user, conveniently packaged as a .zip file.

To create this .zip, simply head over to Tools » Export Personal Data.

You can now 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.

WordPress and CCPA Compliance: FAQs

Online privacy is a serious topic, so I’m not surprised if you still have some questions about CCPA compliance and how it affects your WordPress website. 

In this section, I’ll cover the most frequently asked questions WPBeginner gets on this topic and offer some straightforward, practical advice.

How does CCPA affect how I use cookies on my WordPress website?

To comply with CCPA, you must clearly tell visitors how your site uses cookies for tracking. 

It’s also important to remember that the CCPA generally takes an opt-out approach to cookies, rather than an opt-in one. This means you can still use cookies by default, but you must allow visitors to opt out if they choose. 

The CCPA also gives users the right to opt out of their personal information being sold and shared.

The issue is that the definition of ‘sale or sharing’ is very broad, and may include data your website makes available to other companies via cookies. Targeted ads are a perfect example of this. 

So, if your cookies might lead to the ‘sale or sharing’ of data, then it’s even more important to offer a clear and easy way for visitors to opt out. 

What happens if I fail to comply with CCPA?

Non-compliance can lead to serious consequences for your WordPress site and business. You might face big financial penalties, with fines going up to $7,500 for each intentional violation. 

Even if you breach the CCPA by mistake, you can still be fined up to $2,500 per incident. These fines can add up very quickly, especially if the violation affects many users.

In addition to fines, breaching the CCPA can damage your reputation. 

In today’s digital world, users care deeply about their privacy. If your audience thinks you don’t care about their privacy, then they’ll lose trust in your brand, and you’ll struggle to grow your online business.

How often should I review my CCPA compliance?

Every website is different, but I generally recommend reviewing your CCPA compliance at least once per year.

It’s also really important to review your compliance every time you make big changes to how you handle user data. 

Additional Resources

Staying informed and proactive is essential for maintaining CCPA compliance on your WordPress site.

The following resources offer valuable insights and practical tools to help you keep up with evolving privacy regulations and best practices:

• Official CCPA Website – Get the latest documentation and updates about the CCPA directly from the California Attorney General’s office.
• How to Make Google Fonts Privacy Friendly
• How to Keep Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics
• How to Know if Your WordPress Website Uses Cookies
• How to Stop Storing IP Addresses in WordPress Comments
• The Ultimate WordPress Security Guide – Step by Step

I hope this ultimate guide to WordPress CCPA compliance has helped you understand this important privacy law. Next, you may want to see our expert picks for the best WordPress security plugins or our guide on how to add WordPress analytics without cookies. 

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