Today, almost every website we visit collects information, either without asking for consent or with it, but people often click “accept” without knowing exactly what they’re agreeing to. If you’re looking for information on psychology, physiotherapy, or occupational therapy, your online activity may have been tracked without your knowledge. In response, it’s important to know that in the United States, lawmakers have begun building legal safeguards against the rising tide of data exploitation.
This transformation reflects a growing recognition of the need for robust regulation
It’s no longer just about the questions many people ask online about their medical conditions, psychological consultations, or symptoms. It’s about official medical consultations being conducted online. This transformation reflects a growing recognition of the need for robust regulations to address the complexities of modern data practices. For example, physiotherapy and occupational therapy clinics offer treatments that help reduce pain, improve mobility, strengthen muscles, and support daily activities.
Some clinics may use website tracking tools that collect detailed information about visitors, such as IP addresses
Therefore, given that these professionals work closely with sensitive medical information, they are expected to protect patient confidentiality and adhere to strict data privacy regulations. This could lead to privacy issues regarding sensitive information and potential violations of state or federal laws. Despite these responsibilities, some clinics may use website tracking tools that collect detailed information about visitors, such as IP addresses, general location data, and browsing behavior, without clearly disclosing this practice or obtaining appropriate consent.
A diverse range of state privacy laws has emerged, each aiming to improve privacy protections
The fact is that certain actions can violate state and federal privacy laws. As a result, a diverse range of state privacy laws has emerged, each aiming to improve privacy protections and empower consumers in an increasingly data-driven society. Meanwhile, a class action lawsuit investigation is examining potential violations involving Banner Physical Therapy, NovaCare Rehabilitation, and Select Physical Therapy, among others.
This law gives consumers far more control over their personal information than any previous privacy laws
Regarding privacy laws in the United States, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) was enacted in 2018. It went into effect on January 1, 2020, becoming the first comprehensive data privacy law in the US. This is significant because we live in the digital age, and just when we think things can’t evolve any faster, ChatGPT and AI arrive. Therefore, this law gives consumers far more control over their personal information than any previous privacy laws. The CCPA, along with its amendment, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), protects consumers on a whole new level, serving as a model for other states.
If you visit a physical therapy or occupational therapy website your information may have been collected without your prior notice or consent
The fact is that in 2025 there was no project as ambitious as the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 or the American Data Protection and Privacy Act of 2023 (neither of which passed the initial discussion phase). First and foremost, if you visit a physical therapy or occupational therapy website, or open an email from one of these clinics, your information may have been collected without your prior notice or consent. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this. In such cases, you may have the right to take legal action. In any event, we will have to wait and see how this develops and whether regulations can be established to protect the privacy of citizens’ sensitive data.