GDPR privacy & cookie consent vs US state privacy (CCPA/CPRA): what's the difference?

GDPR is the EU's comprehensive privacy law and reaches anyone offering goods or services to people in the EU; CCPA/CPRA is California's law, applying above set thresholds to businesses handling Californians' data. GDPR wants a lawful basis up front and opt-in consent for non-essential cookies; CCPA leans on disclosure plus an opt-out of sale/sharing. Have customers in both places? You generally need both.

Side by side

 PrivacyProofCCPA Ready
RuleGDPR privacy & cookie consentUS state privacy (CCPA/CPRA)
RegionEU rulesUS rules
Applies if you…collect personal data from visitors in the EU or UKsell to or collect data from consumers in California or other US states
StatusIn forceIn force
Maximum exposureup to €20M or 4% of global turnover (Art. 83)$2,500/violation — $7,500 if intentional or a minor
Official sourceEUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) 2016/679California AG — CCPA
Do you need both?

Often yes. They're separate obligations, so if your business falls within scope of each — for example, customers or activities that each one covers — you have to meet both. The free checkers tell you where you stand on each in about a minute.

Check where you stand on each

Or check both at once.
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Informational only, not legal advice. Scope and figures can be fact-specific — confirm against each cited source. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.