Considerations for using the internet in the US

Most of us log on, scroll, click, and share without giving much thought to what happens next. But internet use in the US comes with a range of legal, ethical, and practical considerations, from how your data is handled to what you’re allowed to do with content you find online. Here’s what’s worth keeping in mind.

1. Data Privacy

Unlike the European Union’s unified GDPR framework, the US has no single federal data privacy law. Instead, protection is spread across a patchwork of federal regulations, including the Privacy Act of 1974, HIPAA for health data, and the GLBA for financial information, alongside a growing number of state-level laws. According to the IAPP, 19 states had enacted comprehensive consumer privacy legislation by the end of 2024, with more in the pipeline for 2025 and 2026. California’s CCPA and CPRA remain the most far-reaching examples. On a personal level, protecting your own data starts with basic habits: be selective about what you share on social media, avoid logging into sensitive accounts over unsecured public Wi-Fi, and disable location tracking for apps that don’t genuinely need it. Using a password manager and a VPN adds further protection because a VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it significantly harder for third parties to monitor your activity.

1. Copyright and Intellectual Property

US copyright law automatically protects original works the moment they are created and fixed in a tangible form, including text, images, music, video, and software. That protection applies online just as it does offline. Before sharing or publishing someone else’s content, it’s worth confirming you have the right to do so. Where you don’t, fair use may apply in limited circumstances, such as commentary or educational use, but this is a nuanced area that depends heavily on context. When in doubt, credit the original source and seek permission.

1. Unauthorized Access and Cybercrime

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is the primary federal law governing hacking and unauthorized access to computer systems. It applies broadly to internet-connected devices and can result in serious criminal and civil consequences for anyone who accesses systems or data without proper authorization. This covers more than deliberate hacking, such as sharing login credentials, accessing an ex-employee’s accounts, or scraping data in violation of a site’s terms, which can all attract scrutiny under the CFAA.

1. Online Contracts and Terms of Service

Every time you click “I agree,” you are entering into a legally binding contract. Terms of service govern the majority of websites and platforms, and courts have increasingly upheld them as enforceable. They typically define acceptable behavior, from how you represent products on reseller platforms to the standards expected in social media interactions to the accuracy required when filling out online insurance or financial forms. According to a 2024 review by Mintz, businesses and individuals alike are increasingly being held accountable under both platform terms and applicable state laws.

Navigating the internet responsibly doesn’t require a law degree, but it does require some awareness. Understanding the basics of data privacy, copyright, cybercrime law, and platform agreements puts you in a much stronger position, whether you’re browsing, creating, or doing business online.