---
title: "Tennessee privacy law (TIPA): sensitive data"
canonical: "https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/sensitive-data"
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): sensitive data

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)

Sensitive data may be processed only with the consumer's opt-in consent; data of a known child (under 13) must be processed under COPPA. Since 1 Jul 2026 biometric data can include data generated from photographs or video or audio recordings. There is no separate teen rule.

## Key points

1. Sensitive data: racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical health diagnosis, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, genetic or biometric data for identification, data collected from a known child, and precise geolocation.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3302(26)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

2. Opt-in consent is required; known-child data must be processed under COPPA.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3305(a)(6)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

3. Child means a person under 13.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3302(5)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

4. From 1 Jul 2026 data generated from a photograph or video or audio recording is no longer excluded from biometric data.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3302(3)(B) (as amended by 2026 Pub. Ch. 614)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0408.pdf)

5. Complying with COPPA verifiable parental consent satisfies parental consent duties.

   Section: [Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-3311(b)](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)
- [Public Chapter 614 (2026), HB 2453, § 9 amending § 47-18-3302(3)(B)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0614.pdf)

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

## Related GDPR articles

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

- [Article 9: Processing of special categories of personal data](https://dposchool.com/gdpr/article/9) (sensitive data)

## 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)
- [Controller duties](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/controller-duties)
- [Processors](https://dposchool.com/state-privacy-laws/state/tennessee/processors)
- [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) / Sensitive data

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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).

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