In the Americas, data protection laws define what constitutes “sensitive” personal data using common elements.
Moreover, the concept of sensitive personal data in the Americas largely aligns with the special categories of personal data that are protected under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation.
Each country has specific measures to protect sensitive personal data, but these vary in nature and scope across the region. Such measures include restricting the legal grounds available for processing sensitive personal data and imposing additional security and transparency obligations.
Additionally, many countries in the Americas share two requirements for collecting and processing data from minors:
- ensuring the data processing takes place only if it is in the best interests of the minor; and
- requiring consent from the parents or legal guardians before processing a minor’s data.
These are among the main findings from Cullen International’s new benchmark covering how eight countries in the Americas protect sensitive data and the personal data of minors.
For more information and access to the benchmark, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request Access”, in case you are not subscribed to our Americas Digital Economy service.
more news
30 June 25
LTE and 5G in the 410–430 MHz and 450–470 MHz bands in Europe
Our latest European benchmark shows the countries where the 410–430 MHz or 450–470 MHz bands can be used for LTE or 5G.
27 June 25
Can European end users choose their own router or modem?
Our new benchmark research shows that national regulators clearly defined the network termination point in five of the 14 European countries studied.
26 June 25
Data Protection in the Americas
Recent research highlights contrasts in the enforcement of data protection laws across the Americas. While most countries have legal frameworks in place to penalise violations, the scale of fines—both in terms of maximum fine limits and actual enforcement—varies widely. The findings also reveal that fines imposed in Europe are often significantly higher than those recorded in the Americas.