United States

61 apps we list are based here

The laws that apply to a company based in United States. Facts only, each with its source.

The laws, in short

Main privacy law
A 2019 federal audit (GAO) found no comprehensive US internet privacy law governing how private companies collect personal data.
Tech name: No comprehensive federal privacy law (sector laws such as COPPA, GLBA) · GAO-19-52, Internet Privacy: Additional Federal Authority Could Enhance Consumer Protection and Provide Flexibility (2019)
Who enforces it
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) acts on privacy using its power against unfair or deceptive business practices (FTC Act Section 5).
Tech name: FTC, FTC Act Section 5 · FTC: Privacy and Security (business guidance)
Do EU privacy rules cover it?Partly
The EU accepts US data protection only for companies that joined the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.
Tech name: EU adequacy decision, EU-US Data Privacy Framework · What's that? · European Commission: Adequacy decisions
Laws that let the government ask for data
The CLOUD Act requires US online service providers to preserve or disclose data they control when legally required, even if it is stored abroad.
Tech name: CLOUD Act (18 U.S.C. 2713) · 18 U.S.C. 2713 (US Code, 2023 edition, govinfo.gov)
Must companies keep connection data?
We found no federal rule making providers keep everyone's connection data. Providers must save specific records when the government asks.
Tech name: 18 U.S.C. 2703(f) preservation requests · What's that? · 18 U.S.C. 2703 (US Code, 2023 edition, govinfo.gov)
Published intelligence-sharing agreements
The US and the UK signed the UKUSA intelligence-sharing agreement in 1946. Canada, Australia and New Zealand joined later ('Five Eyes').
Tech name: UKUSA Agreement (Five Eyes) · GCHQ: Brief history of UKUSA

Last checked Nov 4, 2026. Laws change, so every fact is true as of the date we checked it, and we check again. How we check

The laws, in short

Main privacy law

Who enforces it

Do EU privacy rules cover it?◐ Partly

Laws that let the government ask for data

Must companies keep connection data?

Published intelligence-sharing agreements

Apps based in United States

Do EU privacy rules cover it?Partly