CIPA COMPLIANCE SOFTWARE
CIPA is a 1967 California wiretapping law that plaintiffs' attorneys increasingly use to challenge website tracking technologies, including chat widgets, session replay tools, and advertising pixels. TrueVault helps ecommerce teams keep CIPA compliance manageable with consent management, data mapping, and clear disclosures.
Trusted by ecommerce brands that want privacy work to stay manageable as their business evolves.
“Integrated easily with Shopify. Big time saver over trying to keep track of state-by-state regulations manually.”
"With a small internal team and limited bandwidth, having a knowledgeable partner that feels like an extension of our team for privacy concerns has been incredibly valuable."
What CIPA is and what “CIPA compliance” really means
There’s no official CIPA program, certification, or checklist. When people talk about “CIPA compliance,” they usually mean reducing the risk of a lawsuit.
CIPA, short for the California Invasion of Privacy Act, was passed in 1967 to stop unauthorized wiretapping. Today it’s being used in lawsuits involving common website tracking tools. The law allows private lawsuits and statutory damages, making it a common basis for demand letters. Many claims argue that a third-party tool intercepted a visitor’s communications without consent. Here are some of the situations that most often lead to CIPA demand letters.
Chat tools
Third-party chat that routes messages through a vendor’s servers.
Session replay
Tools that record what visitors do on your site.
Tracking pixels
Ad and analytics pixels that share visitor data with third parties.
“Pen register” claims
SDKs that identify visitors using information like IP addresses and geolocation.
Cookies that fire on load
Trackers that load before a visitor has a chance to consent.
Thin disclosures
Privacy details buried where no visitor will ever see them.
A CIPA compliance checklist of risk-reduction tactics
A working list of changes that can help reduce CIPA lawsuit risk.
This reduces risk. It isn’t legal advice or a guarantee. CIPA case law is still evolving and varies by court, so involve legal counsel for guidance on your specific situation.
CIPA COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS
The tools that help reduce CIPA compliance risk
There’s no dedicated CIPA compliance product, because TrueVault brings together consent, disclosures, and data mapping to help reduce the risks these lawsuits often focus on.
Cookie-consent banner
Blocks non-essential trackers until visitors make a choice.
Data mapping
See which third parties receive visitor data so your disclosures stay accurate.
Privacy notices
Clear, specific disclosures that support informed consent.
Stay current
Keep disclosures and consent aligned as your site, apps, and trackers evolve.
You can’t disclose what you can’t see
Accurate disclosures start with knowing what’s running. A data map shows which third parties receive visitor data and why. That visibility supports clear notices and informed consent. TrueVault builds and maintains that map as your stack evolves.
CIPA COMPLIANCE SUPPORT
Support from people who get ecommerce
Most teams don’t need a privacy lecture. They need to know what matters and what to fix first.
Privacy is often one responsibility among many. TrueVault pairs CIPA compliance software with real people who help you work through implementation decisions, answer questions, and keep privacy work manageable as your business evolves.
Fit CIPA risk reviews into your existing ecommerce operations
Connect the systems already powering your storefront, marketing, and customer data workflows.
Connect your systems
Integrate Shopify, GTM, GA4, Klaviyo, and the rest of your stack.
See where tracking happens
Find the chat tools, session replay, pixels, and SDKs that may increase CIPA risk.
Tighten consent and notices
Block trackers until opt-in and put clear notices where they belong.
Keep everything aligned
As vendors and your storefront evolve, keep consent and disclosures up to date.
Works with the systems your team already uses
Connect the tools already powering your storefront, marketing, analytics, and customer data workflows.
CIPA compliance resources for ecommerce teams
CIPA questions ecommerce teams usually ask
What is CIPA?
The California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) is a 1967 California wiretapping law. Although it was written for phone calls, it’s now used in lawsuits involving website tracking tools like chat, session replay, and pixels. Because the law allows private lawsuits and statutory damages, CIPA demand letters have become increasingly common.
What is CIPA compliance?
Strictly speaking, “CIPA compliance” isn’t a formal program. There’s no certification or official requirements list the way there is with CCPA. What people usually mean is reducing the risk of a CIPA lawsuit by getting consent before trackers fire, posting clear notices, and keeping accurate disclosures.
Does CIPA apply to my business?
If you have website visitors in California and use third-party tracking like chat, session replay, ad pixels, or fingerprinting SDKs, you could face CIPA claims even if your business is based elsewhere. Many demand letters are opportunistic rather than tied to any specific harm.
I’m already CCPA compliant — doesn’t that cover CIPA compliance requirements?
Not necessarily. They’re separate laws with different theories, and the gap is consent. CCPA focuses on privacy notices, consumer rights, and opt-outs. It doesn’t generally require consent before tracking begins. CIPA risk turns on exactly that: getting consent before a third-party tool fires. So your CCPA work is a good start, but on its own it usually won’t stop a CIPA letter. Tightening consent and notices is what closes the gap.
Can TrueVault make me “CIPA compliant”?
Honestly, no. There’s no formal CIPA certification, and the case law is still evolving. What TrueVault does is help reduce lawsuit risk with consent banners that block trackers before they load, clear disclosures, just-in-time notices, and data mapping that keeps disclosures accurate.
I got a CIPA demand letter — what now?
Don’t ignore it, but don’t panic either. Many demand letters are generated in bulk, so it’s worth confirming what your site was actually doing before responding. Work with privacy counsel to evaluate the claim and determine next steps. Going forward, capturing consent before tracking begins, posting clear notices, and maintaining accurate records can help reduce future risk.
Will CIPA lawsuits stop anytime soon?
Probably not in the near term. Courts are still reaching different conclusions, and the legal landscape continues to evolve. For now, the practical approach is to reduce your exposure instead of waiting for the law to settle.
What’s the difference between CIPA and CCPA?
CCPA is California’s consumer privacy law and is enforced by regulators. CIPA is an older wiretapping law that’s often used by private attorneys in lawsuits involving website tracking. They’re different laws with different risks, but stronger consent and clearer disclosures can help with both.
We’ll review the tracking on your site, flag what tends to draw CIPA demand letters, and show you what to tighten first.