GDPR, CCPA & TCPA: Ensuring Your Co‑Registration Campaigns Stay Compliant

Let’s start with a quick rundown of the three key regulations you need to know. Don’t worry – we’ll keep it beginner-friendly and jargon-free:

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

A comprehensive privacy law from the EU, effective since 2018. GDPR is often called the toughest privacy and security law in the world​ and it applies to any business that collects personal data from EU residents, no matter where the business is located.

In simple terms, GDPR gives people in the EU control over their personal data and requires companies to get clear consent, safeguard data, and respect user rights (like the right to access or delete their info).

CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)

A state law from California (in effect since 2020) that boosts privacy rights for California residents.

t gives Californians the right to know what personal data is collected about them, to request deletion of that data, and to opt out of the sale of their information.

In practice, if you’re collecting leads that include California consumers, you must provide transparency and options for them to control their data (like a “Do Not Sell My Info” link).

TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)

A U.S. federal law from 1991 focused on protecting consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls and texts.

t sets rules like no auto-dialed or prerecorded calls to cell phones without explicit permission, honoring Do Not Call lists, and providing an easy way to opt out of calls/SMS.

For lead generators, this means you must get clear permission before you start dialing those phone leads or sending text messages.

Now that we have a basic idea of what each law is about, let’s dive into how to comply with them in your co-registration campaigns.

Below, we’ll go through best practices for GDPR, CCPA, and TCPA one by one 😊.

When targeting or handling data from EU individuals, GDPR compliance should be top of mind.

Here are some best practices to ensure your co-reg campaigns respect EU data privacy rules:

Ask for Explicit Consent ✅

Under GDPR, silence or a pre-ticked box doesn’t count as consent!

Always use an unchecked checkbox (or similar explicit opt-in mechanism) for any additional offers in your co-registration flow.

For example, if your form offers a primary signup and two partner offers, the user should actively check each box to opt into each offer.

This way, you have clear, unambiguous consent for every lead you collect.

Be Transparent with Disclosures 🔍

Tell users exactly what they’re signing up for. Use clear, simple language to explain how you will use their data.

Provide a link to your privacy policy right at the signup form (and make sure that policy is easy to understand).

If you plan to share the lead’s info with partners or advertisers, explicitly state that. Transparency is a GDPR requirement and it builds trust 🤝.

A good practice is to include a short statement like “ By submitting, you agree to our privacy policy and to be contacted by [Your Company] about our services.” near the form, with a link to details.

Allow Access & Deletion (Honor User Rights) 🧑‍💻

GDPR gives people rights such as accessing the data you have on them, correcting it, and having it deleted (the “right to be forgotten”).

As a best practice, set up an easy process for users to exercise these rights.

For instance, have a visible link or page where users can request their data or deletion.

And if someone asks, act quickly – GDPR generally requires you to fulfill requests in about a month.

In co-reg, if you’ve passed the lead to partners, you should also inform those partners of the deletion request.

Secure the Data 🔒

Protect lead information like it’s gold (because in the GDPR context, it basically is!).

Use proper security measures – encryption, secure storage, access controls – to prevent data breaches.

GDPR mandates organizations to keep personal data secure. A data breach not only hurts your brand reputation but can also lead to severe penalties.

Make sure any data collected from your co-registration forms is transmitted and stored securely (HTTPS forms, encrypted databases, etc.).

Limiting access to the data on a need-to-know basis is another wise step.

Keep Consent Records 💾

It’s crucial to maintain a record of each user’s consent.

This means storing when, how, and for what the user consented.

For example, log the timestamp when the user submitted the form and save the form version or text of the consent statement they agreed to.

Why? Because if there’s ever a complaint or audit, you can prove that the user gave consent (GDPR requires accountability).

Many compliance tools or platforms (like Coreg.Software 😉) can automatically log consent details for you. Make use of that feature to cover your bases.

Data Minimization 💿

Only ask for data you actually need.

GDPR encourages collecting the minimum personal data required for the purpose.

In a co-reg path, it might be tempting to ask dozens of questions to “enrich” your lead profile, but if some of that data isn’t truly necessary, consider skipping it.

Users will appreciate shorter forms, and you reduce your compliance risk by not stockpiling excess personal info.

By following these practices, you’ll respect EU users’ privacy and drastically lower the chances of a GDPR headache.

Compliance can even be a selling point – when users see that you’re upfront and respectful of their data, they’ll feel safer doing business with you.

If you gather leads from California (or any U.S. consumers, really), CCPA is the key law to keep in mind.

Even if you’re not based in California, your online campaigns can easily collect a California resident’s info, so it’s wise to build CCPA compliance into your process.

Here’s how to stay on the right side of the CCPA in co-registration campaigns:

Provide a Clear Notice at Collection 💡

The CCPA requires that businesses inform consumers at or before the point of data collection about what personal information will be collected and the purposes for which it will be used.

In practice, this means your co-reg forms should include a brief notice like: “We collect your [name, email, phone] to connect you with [Company] and our marketing partners. See our Privacy Policy for more.”

This sets the expectation with the user about why you’re asking for their data. Keep it brief and non-legalese so beginners understand it.

Include a “Do Not Sell My Personal Info” Option ☝️

One of the hallmark rights under CCPA is the right to opt out of the sale of personal data.

In lead generation, if you are sharing or selling leads to partner advertisers (which is common in co-reg campaigns), you need to give California consumers a way to opt out of that.

est practice: have a visible “Do Not Sell My Info” link on your website (typically in the footer or at point of collection) for California residents.

Also, on the co-reg form itself, you can include a checkbox or toggle saying “Do not share my information with third parties” (applicable to CA users).

Even if the user doesn’t opt out, the fact that you offered shows good faith compliance.

Honor Consumer Requests (Access/Delete) 🙏

CCPA grants Californians the right to request that you disclose what personal info you have on them and/or delete their personal info.

Have a system in place to handle these requests efficiently. For example, provide an email or web form for privacy requests.

When someone makes a request, you’ll need to verify their identity (for security) and then provide the info or delete it, generally within 45 days.

In co-registration, if you’ve shared the lead with partners, ideally your privacy policy should inform users that once their data is passed to a third party, you cannot fully control that data – but you should still assist the user in contacting those third parties if they want to exercise rights there too.

No Discrimination 🙅‍♀️

The CCPA forbids businesses from discriminating against consumers who exercise their privacy rights.

In other words, if someone opts out of data sale or requests deletion, you can’t start giving them a worse experience (like denying services or charging more just because they exercised their rights).

In co-reg campaigns, this means you shouldn’t, for example, withhold the free offer or entry into a sweepstakes just because someone clicked “Do Not Sell My Info.”

Treat all leads equally, whether or not they invoke CCPA rights.

Update Your Privacy Policy for CCPA 📄

Make sure your privacy policy has a section addressing California residents’ rights.

It should outline what categories of data you collect, the purposes, the rights consumers have (access, deletion, opt-out of sale, etc.), and at least two methods for contacting you with requests (typically a toll-free number and an email or web form).

Keeping your privacy policy up-to-date and easy to find (link it on pages and forms) is an essential best practice. This not only ticks the compliance checkbox but also signals transparency to users 📜.

By embracing these best practices, you’ll make your co-registration campaigns CCPA-compliant and user-friendly.

You’ll also be largely prepared for other state laws (like Virginia’s or Colorado’s privacy laws) that are similar – a bonus win! 🎉

When it comes to phone numbers and marketing, the TCPA is king.

Non-compliance with TCPA can lead to lawsuits or hefty fines, so if your co-reg leads include phone numbers (especially for text/SMS or calls), pay close attention here.

TCPA compliance in co-registration means getting proper consent for any telemarketing communications. Here’s how to do it right:

Use Clear and Conspicuous Consent Language 📚

Burying consent for calls/texts in a paragraph of terms and conditions that no one reads is not a good practice (and may not hold up legally).

Make the consent request obvious and separate. Bold it or put it next to the phone field in your form.

The user should not be surprised later that they “agreed” to phone calls. For instance, a good design is to have the phone number input, and right below it, a required checkbox with the consent wording mentioned above.

This way, it’s very clear the phone number submission is tied to receiving calls/texts.

Clarity will protect you if there’s ever a dispute and also sets honest expectations with your leads (preventing the “I didn’t know you’d call me!” reactions).

Get Separate Consent for Each Partner (No Bundled Consent) 🙌

This is crucial for co-reg campaigns involving multiple advertisers who might call/text the lead.

The FCC’s latest rules (effective 2025) explicitly require one-to-one consent – you can’t have a single consent that applies to dozens of partners anymore​.

So, if your co-registration path offers, say, three different offers from three companies, you should present separate consent checkboxes for each if they will all contact the user by phone.

It might look like: “Yes, I agree to receive calls/texts from [Company A].” (checkbox) then “Yes, I agree to receive calls/texts from [Company B].” (checkbox), etc. It’s a bit more work for the user, but it keeps you compliant.

Alternatively, some campaigns list all partner companies in one consent statement – avoid that now, because regulators have frowned upon it.

The new best practice is one consent per company. This ensures the user specifically knows who might contact them and agrees to each. It also protects you and your partners from the upcoming TCPA “lead generator loophole” crackdown.

Respect the Do-Not-Call (DNC) Rules 📵

Compliance doesn’t stop at consent. You also need to honor the National Do Not Call Registry.

If a phone number is registered on the DNC list, you generally shouldn’t call it with telemarketing unless you have explicit consent (which in co-reg, you do if they gave it – but be cautious: the consent covers you, but if consent wasn’t properly obtained, a DNC violation could be claimed).

Also maintain an internal DNC list: if a lead tells you “don’t call me again” or opts out later, record that and make sure you don’t contact them in the future.

Many dialer systems and CRMs have features to flag numbers as DNC; use them religiously. And remember, TCPA says telemarketing calls can only happen between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time – so abide by that window when scheduling campaigns. Little details, but they matter.

Provide an Easy Opt-Out for Texts 💬

If you’re sending SMS, always include instructions to opt out, like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” in the message.

It’s not only a best practice, but mobile carriers typically require it too.

For calls, if someone says “please take me off your list,” train your call agents (or IVR) to immediately honor that and flag the number.

Never make it hard for people to opt out. The easier it is, the less likely someone will feel the need to complain or sue. Plus, it’s just good customer respect.

By adhering to these TCPA best practices, you can confidently leverage phone outreach in your marketing without waking up to a lawsuit.

Remember, every single call or text must be consensual.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution – a lead not called is always better than a potential TCPA violation.

And as with the other laws, being upfront and respectful with consumers will only boost your brand reputation 📞👍.

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to slip up on compliance details.

Let’s highlight some common mistakes in co-registration campaigns and how you can avoid them.

Learn from these pitfalls so you don’t have to learn the hard way:

❌ Pre-Checked Consent Boxes

One of the biggest no-nos (especially under GDPR) is using pre-ticked checkboxes or hiding consent in the fine print.

If your co-reg form has a box that’s already checked saying “Yes, send me offers…”, that’s invalid consent.

✅ Fix: Always use opt-in checkboxes that start unchecked, and make the user actively click them. This way, you know the user intentionally gave consent. It might lower opt-in rates slightly, but those who do opt in are genuinely interested – and you stay compliant.

❌ Hiding Terms or Using Jargon

Users often complain they didn’t realize what they agreed to, because the disclosure was buried or too complex.

If your consent language is a dense paragraph of legal jargon, users might skim over it or miss it.

✅ Fix: Be clear and concise. Use plain language and a readable font size. For example, instead of “We may disseminate your personally identifiable information to third-party entities for marketing endeavors,” say “We may share your info with our advertising partners who will send you offers.” Clarity ensures the user’s consent is informed, as required by law, and it also shows you respect the user’s understanding.

❌ Forgetting to Update Practices as Laws Change

Privacy laws aren’t static. For instance, the CCPA got an upgrade with CPRA (California Privacy Rights Act) which adds more nuance, and TCPA rules are being tightened recently around lead-gen.

If you set your compliance strategy once and never revisit it, you might fall out of compliance as rules evolve.

✅ Fix: Stay informed about changes in privacy regulations. Subscribe to industry news or follow reliable sources on data privacy.

Periodically (say, twice a year) review your forms and consent language against current laws. Make updates as needed – e.g., if a new law requires a new user right or a wording change, implement it promptly. Using a platform like Coreg.Software can help, since they keep features up-to-date with the latest compliance requirements.

❌ Selling or Sharing Data Without Proper Consent

Maybe you started off collecting leads just for yourself, but later decided to monetize by selling leads to a partner.

If you didn’t originally get consent for that, you can’t just start doing it. Or if you bought a batch of leads from a third-party source, assuming they’re fine – that’s risky if you don’t have proof of consent.

✅ Fix: Plan ahead for data usage. If there’s any chance you’ll share the lead’s info, include that in the initial consent.

It’s easier to get it up front than to go back later. And be very cautious with third-party leads: always ensure the source collected them with proper consent for the channels you intend to use.

When in doubt, reconfirm consent with the lead (for example, send an email asking them to opt in again) before marketing to them. It might cost a few leads, but it protects you legally.

Ensuring compliance across GDPR, CCPA, TCPA (and more) might sound like a lot of work – and it can be, especially if you’re trying to patch together different tools and processes.

That’s a lot to juggle! While competitors like ActiveProspect offer point solutions (for example, their TrustedForm product captures consent proof for leads), you often end up needing multiple platforms to manage a full co-registration funnel and keep it compliant.

Coreg.Software to the rescue. 🚀 Coreg.Software is an all-in-one platform specifically designed for high-volume co-registration campaigns, and it bakes compliance into every step of the process.

That’s a lot to juggle! While competitors like ActiveProspect offer point solutions (for example, their TrustedForm product captures consent proof for leads), you often end up needing multiple platforms to manage a full co-registration funnel and keep it compliant.

It’s best to review and update your privacy policy at least once a year or whenever privacy laws change.

2. Do I need to obtain consent for remarketing ads?

Yes, GDPR and CCPA require user consent before collecting data for behavioral advertising.

3. Can I collect leads from international users if my business is based in the U.S.?

Yes, but you must comply with the data protection laws of the user's country, such as GDPR for EU residents.

4. What’s the best way to store user consent records?

Use a CRM or lead management platform like Coreg.Software that automatically logs user consent.

5. Can I still send promotional emails without explicit consent?

In most cases, no. GDPR and CAN-SPAM laws require clear opt-in consent before sending marketing emails.