The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA) officially came into effect on October 1, 2025 — and for businesses operating in Maryland, the countdown is over.
If your company hasn’t yet taken full steps toward MODPA readiness, it’s time to act fast. This new law reshapes how organizations collect, store, and manage personal data, especially customers and employees within the state.
Table Of Content
What Is MODPA and Why It Matters Now
The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act of 2024 (MODPA) was designed to give consumers greater control over their personal data. It sets new expectations for how companies must operate — with a focus on transparency, consent, and protection.
For any business handling customer data, MODPA compliance is now both a legal requirement and a trust mandate.
Here’s what MODPA requires companies to do:
- Be transparent about what data is collected and why
- Obtain explicit consent before sharing or selling data
- Provide data access and deletion options to users
- Enforce strong cybersecurity measures to prevent breaches
- Restrict sensitive data usage to authorized purposes only
In short, every company must know their data, secure it, and respect their users’ rights.
(Embed YouTube video here)
The Reality: Many Companies Are Still Catching Up
While larger organizations began preparing months ago, many small and mid-sized companies in Maryland are still adjusting to MODPA’s requirements.
Why? Because compliance is not just a paperwork task — it impacts systems, cybersecurity policies, and even day-to-day operations.
The biggest challenges companies face:
- Managing multiple data systems across departments
- Ensuring vendors and software providers are compliant
- Budget constraints for upgrading security infrastructure
- Limited in-house expertise to handle complex compliance tasks
5 Immediate Actions Companies Should Take Post-MODPA
Even though the law is now active, it’s not too late to become compliant — and doing so will protect your brand and customer trust.
1. Conduct a Rapid Data Audit
Start by identifying where personal data lives — in CRMs, employee records, websites, and cloud systems.
Map every touchpoint and access level. This forms the foundation of your compliance strategy.
2. Deploy 24/7 Threat Monitoring (MDR)
In today’s data-driven world, cybersecurity equals compliance.
A Managed Detection & Response (MDR) solution provides continuous monitoring and real-time threat response, ensuring your data is secure and traceable.
Tarika Group’s MDR solutions help companies detect, isolate, and respond to threats before they escalate — keeping you compliant and resilient.
3. Review Vendor and SaaS Compliance
Your company’s compliance is only as strong as your weakest vendor.
Verify that all third-party systems — from HR software to marketing tools — meet MODPA and SOC 2 / ISO 27001 standards.
Establish clear Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) to define responsibilities.
4. Train Employees Immediately
Your employees are the first line of defense.
Conduct regular training on responsible data handling, phishing awareness, and privacy rights.
A single careless email or download can result in a compliance violation.
5. Update Your Public-Facing Privacy Policy
Customers now expect clarity about how their information is handled.
Update your website’s privacy policy and add features allowing users to access, correct, or delete their data.
Creating a secure self-service data portal reinforces transparency and builds trust.
(Embed YouTube video here)
How Tarika Group Helps Companies Stay Compliant
At Tarika Group, we help organizations across industries modernize their IT and compliance posture — ensuring they meet MODPA and other emerging data regulations confidently.
Our services include:
- MODPA Compliance Audits – Identify risk areas and create an action roadmap
- Managed Detection & Response (MDR) – 24/7 monitoring & real-time threat mitigation
- Secure Client & Employee Portals – Encrypted communication and data access
- Backup & Disaster Recovery Solutions – Ensure continuity in case of breach or downtime
- Cybersecurity Awareness Training – Empower teams to handle data safely
Tarika Group bridges the gap between technology and compliance — helping businesses stay secure, transparent, and future-ready.
The Bottom Line
MODPA is now in force — and enforcement actions will soon follow.
Companies that delay compliance risk facing penalties, investigations, and loss of consumer trust.
But compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
With the right guidance and technology, it can become a competitive advantage — proving to your customers that your company values privacy and security.
Stay compliant. Stay trusted. Stay ahead.
Schedule your MODPA Compliance Assessment with Tarika Group today.