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Launching a product is exciting. You’ve built something useful, tested it, and you’re ready to put it out into the world. But before you push that big green button, there’s one area too many startups overlook: data protection.
You’re handling personal data if your platform collects user information like names, emails, payment details, and usage data. That means legal obligations, risk, and a serious user trust factor. A few smart checks before launch can help you stay compliant and avoid problems later.
Here’s a checklist every tech startup should run before going live, with insights from what a data privacy lawyer California looks for when reviewing a product.
Start with your product’s actual data flows. What user data do you collect? What fields are required, and which are optional? Are you tracking behavior, geolocation, or device usage? You need to know precisely what information your product touches.
More isn’t better. Only collect what you actively use. Storing extra data “just in case” opens you up to more risk with zero upside. A privacy law attorney can help you audit this, prioritize what’s essential, and identify anything that shouldn’t be collected.
Your privacy policy isn’t a throwaway page. It’s a legal document that tells users (and regulators) what you collect, why, and how you store and share it. Copying one from another startup won’t cut it.
A good privacy policy should:
Most websites and apps use cookies or similar tracking tools. If you do, you need to get consent the right way. That means no pre-checked boxes, vague banners, or silent tracking on first load.
You should:
Every data point you collect should come with built-in consent. That means more than burying terms in fine print. It means giving users clear choices and explaining what happens when they say yes.
For example:
Consent needs to be freely given, informed, and revocable. A data privacy lawyer will focus on how this plays out in your product, not just in your legal docs.
Under laws like GDPR and CPRA, users can request to see their data on you, or ask you to delete it entirely. Your product and internal workflows need to support this.
You should have:
If your app or site uses third-party vendors like Stripe, Mixpanel, Firebase, or Mailchimp, you’re likely sharing user data with them. That’s fine, as long as you’re transparent and those vendors have strong privacy practices.
Before launch:
A data privacy lawyer can often spot risks in your vendor stack that product teams miss. For example, you might use a tool that stores data outside the U.S., triggering added obligations under specific laws.
How long will you keep user data? What happens when someone stops using your product? These are questions that matter, especially when it comes to legal compliance.
Set clear internal rules for:
This also helps you stay lean by reducing storage costs and risk exposure.
Privacy is a team effort. Even with a small crew, everyone should understand how your product handles user data, including marketing, engineering, and customer support.
You don’t need a formal program. A short doc or 15-minute walkthrough with your privacy law attorney California can make a big difference. The goal is to avoid mistakes from people simply not knowing the rules.
Legal shouldn’t be something you deal with after launch. It should be part of how you build. A privacy law attorney who understands startups won’t give you a hundred-page policy and walk away. They’ll help you embed innovative data practices into your product as it evolves.
Uncommon Counsel partners with tech founders to make privacy part of the build, not a roadblock. If you’re getting close to launch and need a clear, startup-friendly data check, reach out here.
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