What Is a U.S.-only Privacy Policy?
A U.S.‑only Privacy Policy explains how a company collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information from individuals who interact with its website, mobile app, or other online services - specifically under U.S. privacy laws. This template covers the categories of personal information a company may collect (such as contact, demographic, transactional, device, and online activity data), the sources of that information, and the purposes for which it is used, including service delivery, personalization, analytics, marketing, security, and compliance. It also describes technologies used to collect data automatically, including cookies, pixels, and other tracking tools, and references a separate Cookie Notice for more detail.
Unlike a global or GDPR‑oriented policy, this policy is tailored to U.S. legal requirements only, with a dedicated section addressing rights under state privacy laws such as the CCPA/CPRA and other emerging state regimes.
When Do You Need a U.S.-only Privacy Policy?
You need a U.S.‑only Privacy Policy when your company operates in the United States and collects personal information from users, customers, or visitors - but does not target or serve individuals in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom in a way that would trigger GDPR obligations. This includes websites, apps, marketing programs, events, and any other activities where personal information is collected from U.S. residents. A U.S.‑only policy is appropriate when your compliance obligations are driven by U.S. federal and state privacy laws (such as the CCPA/CPRA, Virginia CDPA, Colorado CPA, and similar laws), and when you do not need to provide GDPR‑specific disclosures such as legal bases for processing, European data subject rights, or cross‑border transfer mechanisms. This template ensures transparency for U.S. users while avoiding the additional complexity required for international or GDPR‑covered audiences.
Why Use This Template?
This U.S.‑only Privacy Policy template provides a comprehensive, structured framework for explaining your company’s data‑handling practices in a clear, compliant, and user‑friendly way. It includes the core elements most businesses need: detailed descriptions of the categories of personal information collected; explanations of how that information is used; disclosures about sharing with service providers, partners, and other third parties; and a full U.S. state privacy rights notice. It also incorporates modern data‑collection practices, including cookies, pixels, analytics tools, and AI‑powered chat features, and gives users clear options for managing their information and communication preferences. This makes it a strong starting point for companies operating primarily in the United States — distinct from the international/GDPR version, which includes additional obligations for European users. We recommend having a qualified attorney review your privacy policy to ensure it accurately reflects your company’s practices before publication.
Key Provisions Included
- Categories of personal information collected
- Sources of personal information
- Explanations of how personal information is used
- Disclosures about sharing with service providers, partners, advisors, and business‑transaction counterparties
- Description of cookies, pixels, and other tracking technologies, with reference to the Cookie Notice
- User choices and rights under U.S. state privacy laws
- Security practices and limitations
- Information about children’s privacy under U.S. law
- Notice of changes and instructions for contacting the company
