Privacy Policies and Regulations

In the United States, there is no one law guaranteeing the right to privacy. Laws related to privacy tend to be category-specific, such as health care (HIPAA) and higher education (FERPA).

Every state also has laws addressing privacy, and more laws are coming on the books every day. California has the most stringent of state laws addressing privacy and consumer protection.

Until a national privacy law is put into law, the following policies, regulations, and guidelines are what guide privacy at TCC.

TCC Privacy Regulations

TCC strives to be transparent in its adherence to FERPA and in use of personal information.

Federal Privacy Regulations

There are several federal laws which affect privacy and consumer protection.

State Privacy Regulations

Texas has additional laws to cover what federal laws may not adequately address.

  • Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA): The TDPSA is a comprehensive privacy law that takes effect on July 1, 2024. Certain provisions regarding submitting requests via authorized agents will take effect on January 1, 2025.
  • Student Privacy Act: The Student Privacy Act is an education-focused law that protects your personally identifiable information (PII) when it's used in connection with other websites and online services for a school purpose.
  • Texas Cybercrime Act: The Texas Cybercrime Act is a cybersecurity-focused law that established cybersecurity requirements for all state agencies in Texas.
  • Identity Theft Law: Texas Penal Code 32.51 defines identity theft and fraudulent use of personal information.

Other Privacy Laws

TCC is not generally covered under the jurisdiction of either GDPR or CPRA. However, these laws are considered the most stringent in protecting individuals and are the standards for good consumer protection.

Updated October 14, 2024