cside Launches Privacy Watch to Combat Website Privacy Violations

cside has launched Privacy Watch, a new platform aimed at preventing website privacy violations on the client-side, a previously unmonitored risk area. The platform employs AI to automate compliance with various regulations, including GDPR, CPRA, and HIPAA, which are becoming increasingly stringent as more U.S. states implement privacy laws. Between 2023 and 2026, 20 new state-level privacy laws will come into effect, adding to the compliance burden for organizations.

Privacy Watch addresses the significant issue of third-party scripts, which are used by 94% of modern websites and can access sensitive user data such as IP addresses and geolocation without organizations being aware of their behavior. This lack of visibility can lead to serious privacy liabilities, as highlighted by the £20 million fine imposed on British Airways due to a client-side security vulnerability.

Key Features of Privacy Watch

The platform offers several features designed to enhance privacy compliance:

• Monitors what data third-party scripts access and where they send it.
• AI-enhanced detection of website privacy violation risks.
• AI-assisted documentation aligned with different regulatory frameworks.
• Flags unauthorized or over-collection from scripts, plugins, or third-party code.
• Watches for vendor code changes that expand data collection.
• Visually tracks cross-border data transfer.
• Detects scripts firing before consent or outside approved categories.
• Validates third-party processors are operating within intended scope.
• Provides protection against client-side attacks to demonstrate reasonable security measures.

As privacy concerns grow among consumers, organizations must adapt to meet regulatory expectations. Privacy Watch aims to alleviate the pressure on compliance teams by automating documentation and evidence gathering, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks. The platform’s ability to provide deep visibility into third-party tools is crucial for mitigating risks associated with data breaches and ensuring compliance with evolving privacy laws.