Business leaders worldwide are increasingly worried about keeping data safe in AI systems. A new report shows 69% of executives now list AI data privacy as a top concern – that's way up from 43% just six months ago. Many companies are putting money into security, with 67% planning new spending on AI data protection. Over half are also boosting budgets for compliance teams to follow rules. Experts say this shows businesses are getting serious about using AI safely, not just experimenting with it.

India is launching a major new privacy law called the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) starting July 2025. This law requires companies to get clear permission before using someone's data and delete information when it's no longer needed. It introduces steep penalties for violations and forces companies to quickly report data breaches. The rules apply to any business handling digital information about people in India, whether the company is local or based overseas.

In the United States, different states keep rolling out their own privacy laws. Montana, Iowa, Delaware and Indiana all started new regulations in January 2025. Tennessee will join them with its own rules on July 1st. These laws generally let people see what data companies have about them, request corrections, delete information, and opt out of data collection for advertising. Policy experts warn this state-by-state approach creates a complex patchwork that's hard for businesses to follow.

Data brokers – companies that buy and sell people's personal information – face growing criticism. With no strong federal privacy law in the US, brokers operate with little oversight. This raises serious safety concerns because sensitive details about health, location and habits get sold to third parties regularly. Recent changes to health privacy rules (HIPAA) try to better protect reproductive health information, but these changes already face legal challenges.

AI technology is changing how security teams protect people and property. New AI tools help guards spot potential threats faster and respond more effectively. Security officers now use mobile devices and AI systems together, making them "more informed, connected, and effective than ever". This combination of human guards and AI-powered tools creates stronger protection for events, buildings and valuable assets.

Looking ahead, companies worldwide must prepare for India's DPDPA while navigating confusing US state laws. Businesses using AI face pressure to address privacy worries through better security spending. The rise of agentic AI (self-operating AI systems) adds new complexity to data protection efforts. Experts stress that without clearer federal rules, data broker risks and compliance challenges will keep growing.