# Maryland Enacts One of the Strictest US Data-Privacy Laws

Date: 2024

On 9 May 2024 Maryland Governor [Wes Moore](/people/edu-wes-moore) signed the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA), making Maryland one of roughly a dozen-plus US states with a comprehensive consumer privacy law. MODPA is widely regarded as among the strictest: it imposes strong data-minimisation duties, bars the sale of sensitive data with narrow exceptions, and prohibits targeted advertising to anyone under 18. The law took effect in October 2025 with enforcement of processing activities phased in from 2026.

## People

- Wes Moore: https://factrail.ai/people/wes-moore

## Drivers

- Digital-Rights and Platform-Power Regulation: https://factrail.ai/drivers/tech-digital-rights-regulation

## Sources

_Sources are listed on the canonical page._

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/tech-fact-maryland-online-data-privacy-act-2024