Montana’s privacy law requires covered businesses to give people clear notice, real choice, and reliable ways to opt out without compromising website performance.
With the Usercentrics Consent Management Platform (CMP), you can display a fully customizable cookie banner, support opt-outs for targeted advertising and data sales, and collect opt-in consent for sensitive data — while keeping analytics and advertising working based on real user preferences.
The Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MTCDPA) is a comprehensive privacy law that took effect on October 24, 2024. It gives Montana residents more control over how their personal data is collected and used, and it sets clear obligations for covered businesses.
Like most U.S. state privacy laws, the MTCDPA uses an opt-out approach for targeted advertising and data sales, but requires opt-in consent for sensitive data. It also adds stronger protections for children and teens.
To meet MTCDPA requirements, businesses required to comply must provide a clear, up-to-date privacy notice explaining how personal data is collected, used, shared, or sold. They must offer an easy-to-use opt-out mechanism, such as a cookie banner, for the sale of personal data, targeted advertising, and certain profiling.
Businesses must also obtain affirmative opt-in consent before processing sensitive personal data and meet additional protection requirements for minors. They are expected to respond to consumer rights requests, maintain reasonable security safeguards, and document data protection assessments for higher-risk processing.
Failing to meet Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MTCDPA) requirements can lead to enforcement action by the Montana Attorney General. The 60-day cure period sunsets on April 1, 2026, so businesses no longer have extra time to address issues after notification.
Beyond legal exposure, gaps in consent handling, opt-out mechanisms, or required notices can disrupt analytics and advertising workflows, create additional manual work for teams, and weaken customer trust. As more U.S. state privacy laws and updates take effect, inconsistent privacy controls can also lead to costly rework — and increase reputational risk.
Analytics and ads behave predictably based on real user choices. A well-configured cookie banner helps prevent broken tracking, data gaps, and last-minute fixes — your insights stay dependable.
Automatic cookie scanning and updates can keep your banner accurate as your site and legal requirements change. Less manual upkeep, fewer headaches, and more time for your team to focus on growth.
A clear, customized cookie banner keeps your visitors informed and gives them clear choices. The result: less friction, more trust, and mitigated legal risk from the start.
A flexible cookie banner and consent management platform helps you adapt as privacy expectations and state laws evolve — and as your company grows. You stay in control of tracking and monetization without scrambling to rework setups or risking interruptions.
Provide website visitors and app users with clear notice and meaningful choice — while keeping analytics and ads running smoothly. Start your free Usercentrics trial today. Manage legal and operational risk as privacy expectations and rules change.
Your questions answered
Usercentrics helps businesses operating in Montana provide visitors with clear notice and meaningful choice — without disrupting website or app performance, analytics, or advertising. Whether you’re preparing for MTCDPA requirements or managing multiple U.S. and global privacy laws, our team can help you protect your business and implement the right setup for your website.
The MTCDPA applies to organizations that conduct business in Montana or target Montana residents with goods or services, and that meet one of the following thresholds:
Montana residents’ rights under the MTCDPA:
The MTCDPA generally follows an opt-out model, but requires opt-in consent before processing sensitive personal data (including data belonging to children). It also requires that consent be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, and includes rules designed to prevent consent being obtained through dark patterns.
Controllers must respond to verified consumer requests within 45 days, with a possible 45-day extension when reasonably necessary. If a request is denied, consumers must be able to appeal and the controller must respond to appeals within 60 days.
Businesses must allow consumers to opt out of targeted advertising and the sale of personal data through an opt-out preference signal — such as the Global Privacy Control (GPC) — sent with the consumer’s consent. This requirement has been in effect since January 1, 2025. Learn more about Global Privacy Control and Universal Opt-Out Mechanisms .