Privacy is advancing in state government—but not without challenges. In Privacy Persevering: How State Chief Privacy Officers Are Advancing Governance With Limited Resources, NASCIO’s 2026 state chief privacy officer survey explores how states are building and maturing privacy programs in an increasingly complex environment. The findings show a role that is growing in influence, with 31 states now having a chief privacy officer or equivalent, and many playing a central role in AI governance, enterprise risk management and technology procurement. States are also making measurable progress in adopting privacy frameworks, strengthening governance and expanding training and policy development.
At the same time, progress is happening under real constraints. Most CPOs still lack dedicated funding, clear authority and sufficient staffing—creating a gap between what states know they need to do and what they can consistently execute. This report highlights where states are making meaningful progress, where barriers remain and what it will take to strengthen privacy governance moving forward—especially as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the landscape.
