DeleteMe’s 2026 Data Privacy Predictions for Businesses

The pressure’s on. Employees and customers are demanding better security as threats evolve. AI-powered social engineering, deepfakes, and personal data exposure risks are speeding up. 

This Data Privacy Week, we’re cutting through the noise with our 2026 data privacy predictions for businesses. We answer questions like what’s coming next? And what does it mean for organizations trying to stay ahead?

Prediction #1 – Physical safety concerns will be a top driver of enterprise data privacy investments

The past couple years brought unprecedented attacks aimed at companies across industries. Some of those attacks escalated to the point of physical threats. 

In many cases, the attacks start with doxxing incidents in which a malicious actor obtains the private details of another individual and exposes that information online. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always stop there. Some victims of doxxing have then gone on to experience death threats, swatting, and even physical attacks. 

After the murder of the United Healthcare CEO, it became clear that personal, political, and sociological vendettas combined with exposed personal data can turn into real harm aimed at the top members of organizations. The assassination of representative Melissa Hortman reinforced this risk after the FBI determined that the suspect used common data broker sites to find the location of her home. 

Increasingly, enterprises are aware of this risk, which is why organizations across the private and public sectors have begun to look into investing in data removal and other privacy solutions as a means to protect employees, executives, and public servants from attacks. 

Prediction #2 – Doxxing will continue to grow as a tool for political and sociological punishment

We’ve already mentioned doxxing, but last year was particularly unique in terms of how widespread the practice became. “Doxxing campaigns” aimed at higher ed employees who were active on social media and expressed certain political opinions hit institutions across the country. Some of those staff members went on to face death threats and other personal attacks Government employees and law enforcement officers have regularly faced such campaigns as well. 

Unfortunately, many doxxing incidents have gone largely unaddressed. That means you can expect to see more politically charged doxxing campaigns in the future. 

It is particularly important for organizations with any ties to the government or members of a particular political party to assess risks and ensure their employees aren’t at risk of doxxing. One of the best ways to do that is to do a quick search online and determine your level of exposure. Few people have any idea just how easy it is to find their home address, full name, phone number, and other details. 

Prediction #3 – Employee data privacy will become a retention and hiring issue, not just a security issue

Between physical threats and doxxing, public-facing employees are often scared. Journalists are quitting because of escalating harassment and danger, often due to how exposed they are online. Healthcare workers face growing risks as well. These risks will only grow, and with them a stronger requirement on the part of workers to find companies that actively seek their wellbeing and protection. 

Companies that are prepared to address safety risks and ensure their employees’ data doesn’t get used against them will have an easier time retaining workers in the coming year. In addition, studies show that workers who feel cared for are considerably more likely to be productive. That benefits the whole company. 

Prediction #4 – Privacy-first policies will continue to be a top driver of consumer confidence in your business

Companies that don’t just focus on data privacy for their employees but also commit to being privacy-first when it comes to consumers will have an advantage. According to Cisco’s Data Privacy Benchmark Study, 95 percent of customers won’t buy if they don’t feel their data is protected. 

Protecting consumer confidence starts with strong cybersecurity certifications and a good privacy policy, but it’s also connected to the need to protect employee data. When your employees are exposed, it doesn’t just open them up to physical risks. It also makes it easier for cybercriminals to target them with phishing and social engineering attacks. This will be even more evident throughout the rest of this year as AI-generated social engineering threats become more sophisticated and convincing. 

Protecting your systems is how you continue to maintain consumer trust and reduce the chance of a breach. And protecting your systems means protecting your people and their privacy.

Prediction #5 – AI data privacy issues will continue to go largely unaddressed at a state and federal level

AI regulation has been a wildfire of controversy in the past couple years, despite bipartisan attempts to address the technology’s impacts on data privacy. The result is that there has been a lot of talk and, so far, very little action on a federal level as far as protecting consumers or businesses from AI-related risks and threats. But while federal legislation and regulations remain stalled, there’s a growing patchwork of 20+ state laws now in effect as of January 2026. The problem: it’s a compliance nightmare for businesses. A single, high-bar privacy standard stands out as the best solution in the absence of federal guidance. 

Make sure you’re following the strictest privacy standards, like California’s CCPA, and also training employees on the risks of sharing sensitive data with AI tools, as well as how to recognize even the most sophisticated social engineering threats or deepfakes. Ensure that there’s no bias or data privacy issues in your internal AI software that could hurt your customers in the long run.

This year, until a federal regulation says otherwise, it’s all on you. 

Final thoughts

Ultimately, this Data Privacy Week is the same as all others. The goal must be to help employees and consumers alike take control of their data, know their rights, and protect themselves online. We will always stand by the belief that companies that prioritize data privacy have an advantage in the marketplace, this year and every year after. 

Learn more: 

• Worried about employee risks this year? DeleteMe’s partners can now use our Risk Scan feature to identify the most at-risk employees and executives. 
• Discover a layered approach to addressing social engineering risks in the workplace
• Learn about the corporate cybersecurity habits that actually work to reduce risk