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Texas data breach notification law

Texas's data breach notification requirements under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §521.053 (Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act); TDPSA §541.107 (privacy law). Below: the resident-notification deadline, AG/regulator filing threshold, the encryption safe harbor, private right of action exposure, penalty schedule, and the common pitfalls that turn an avoidable incident into a regulator enforcement action.

Statute
Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §521.053
Enforcer
Texas Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division
AG notification
Required
Private right of action
No (AG-only enforcement)

Notification deadlines

Notify affected residents
Without unreasonable delay, but not later than 60 days after determination of breach
Notify the state regulator
Yes — within 30 days if 250 or more Texas residents are affected (one of the lowest thresholds nationally); submit via the AG's online portal
Notify consumer reporting agencies
Yes — if more than 10,000 residents, notify nationwide CRAs

When is notification required?

Trigger / harm threshold
Notification required when unauthorized acquisition of computerized PI compromises the security, confidentiality, or integrity of PI
Encryption safe harbor
Yes — properly encrypted personal information is generally exempt from notification, provided the encryption key was not also compromised.

What counts as "personal information" under Texas law

First name/initial + last name with SSN, DL/state ID, financial account + access code, plus medical information and identifying biological/biometric information; AND sensitive PI under TDPSA includes racial/ethnic origin, religious beliefs, genetic data, citizenship, precise geolocation, child data

Penalties and enforcement

Up to $100 per affected individual per day late, capped at $250,000 per breach; TDPSA: up to $7,500 per violation + injunctive relief
Enforced by: Texas Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division. Official regulator page →

Common pitfalls

Texas AG operates a public breach portal — filings are visible to plaintiffs' counsel within days
TDPSA enforcement is now active (effective July 2024) — the AG can stack ITEPA + TDPSA claims on the same incident

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to notify Texas residents after a data breach?
Without unreasonable delay, but not later than 60 days after determination of breach
Do I have to notify the Texas Attorney General?
Yes — within 30 days if 250 or more Texas residents are affected (one of the lowest thresholds nationally); submit via the AG's online portal
Does Texas require notification to nationwide consumer reporting agencies?
Yes — if more than 10,000 residents, notify nationwide CRAs
Is encrypted data exempt from Texas's breach notification requirement?
Yes — Texas has an encryption safe harbor. Breaches of properly encrypted personal information generally do not trigger notification, provided the encryption key was not also compromised.
Can Texas residents sue me directly for a data breach?
No — Texas's breach statute does not provide a direct private right of action. Residents typically must rely on the AG to enforce, or pursue common-law negligence claims.
What counts as 'personal information' under Texas law?
First name/initial + last name with SSN, DL/state ID, financial account + access code, plus medical information and identifying biological/biometric information; AND sensitive PI under TDPSA includes racial/ethnic origin, religious beliefs, genetic data, citizenship, precise geolocation, child data
What are the penalties for failing to comply with Texas's breach notification law?
Up to $100 per affected individual per day late, capped at $250,000 per breach; TDPSA: up to $7,500 per violation + injunctive relief

Related state breach laws

South Dakota (SD)
S.D. Codified Laws §§22-40-19 to 22-40-26
Tennessee (TN)
Tenn. Code §47-18-2107
Utah (UT)
Utah Code §§13-44-101 to 13-44-301
Vermont (VT)
9 V.S.A. §§2430

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