---
title: "Tennessee privacy law (TIPA): processors"
canonical: "https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/processors"
source: "https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf"
text_as_of: "2026-10-28"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-29"
language: "en-US"
publisher: "DPO School"
---

Tennessee Information Protection Act

# Tennessee privacy law (TIPA): processors

Law as of October 28, 2026 · [Reviewed by Sergio Maldonado Elvira on 29 October 2026](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/about#review)

## Summary (not the statute text)

Processors must follow the controller's instructions and help with consumer requests and assessments. A binding contract must set out instructions, nature, purpose, data types, duration and the parties' rights and duties, and must require confidentiality, deletion or return, proof of compliance, cooperation with assessments (or an independent assessment) and subcontractor flow-down.

## Key points

1. Processors must follow instructions and assist with consumer requests and assessments.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3306(a)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

2. Contract must set out instructions, nature and purpose, data types, duration, and the rights and obligations of both parties.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3306(b)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

3. Required terms: confidentiality, deletion or return, information to show compliance, assessments by the controller or an independent assessor, and written subcontracts.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3306(b)(1)-(5)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

4. Whether a person is a controller or processor is a fact-based question.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3306(d)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

## Sources

- [Public Chapter 408 (2023), enrolled HB 1181, Tennessee Information Protection Act](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

[Compare processors across all states](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/topic/processors)

## Related GDPR articles

Related, not equivalent: the GDPR and the state laws differ in scope, terms and exceptions.

- [Article 28: Processor](https://dposchool.com/gdpr/article/28) (processors)

## Status

Law as of October 28, 2026.

[Reviewed by Sergio Maldonado Elvira on 29 October 2026](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/about#review). Prepared from the official sources listed.

[Official text of the Tennessee statute](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

Reference material, not legal advice.

## Other topics for Tennessee

- [Applicability](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/applicability)
- [Consumer rights](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/consumer-rights)
- [Sensitive data](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/sensitive-data)
- [Controller duties](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/controller-duties)
- [Enforcement](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/enforcement)

## Navigation

[US State Privacy Laws](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws) / [Tennessee](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee) / Processors

Previous: [Controller duties](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/controller-duties)

Next: [Enforcement](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/enforcement)

Learning US privacy law? An audio course on the privacy law that applies to US businesses: [US Privacy in Practice](https://dposchool.com/learn/courses/us-privacy-in-practice). More from [DPO School](https://dposchool.com).

## For AI agents

- Machine-readable index: https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/llms.txt
- JSON API: https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/api/v1/index.json
- Vendor privacy and security facts: https://vendor.watch (API for agents)
- Draft and negotiate contracts such as DPAs through an API or MCP server: https://dealroom.todo.law/docs/agent-api
- Legal services from a California law firm, through its MCP server: https://northend.law/agents