As AI tools rapidly integrate into everyday business, one truth is becoming clear: compliance isn’t optional—it’s global. From California to Singapore, governments and standards bodies are racing to define how artificial intelligence should be built, used, and governed. But navigating this patchwork of laws, regulations, and ethical frameworks can be overwhelming. To make it easier, we’ve compiled a breakdown of key AI compliance standards around the world—separating binding laws from voluntary guidelines—so you can build responsibly, no matter where your users are.
✅ U.S. Compliance & Privacy Laws
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding Law? | Purpose |
|---|
| CCPA | California Consumer Privacy Act | ✅ | Gives CA residents rights over personal data. |
| CPRA | California Privacy Rights Act | ✅ | Expands CCPA with stricter controls. |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act | ✅ | Regulates health data privacy and security. |
| FTC | Federal Trade Commission | ✅ | Enforces consumer protection laws (covers AI misuse under deceptive practices). |
| EEOC | Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | ✅ | Oversees discrimination laws, including AI in hiring. |
| ADA | Americans with Disabilities Act | ✅ | Requires accessibility for digital tools like AI. |
| Title VII | Civil Rights Act – Employment | ✅ | Prohibits employment discrimination (relevant for AI hiring tools). |
✅ International / European Laws & Standards
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding Law? | Purpose |
|---|
| GDPR | General Data Protection Regulation (EU) | ✅ | Requires lawful, transparent personal data handling. |
| UK GDPR | UK General Data Protection Regulation | ✅ | Post-Brexit version of GDPR. |
| ISO/IEC 27001 | Information Security Management Standard | ★ | Standard for securing information systems. |
| ISO 42001 | AI Management System Standard | ★ | Standard for responsible AI governance across lifecycle. |
| EU AI Act | European Union Artificial Intelligence Act | ✅ (2025) | Defines AI risk categories and enforcement rules. |
✅ Voluntary / Emerging Guidelines
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding Law? | Purpose |
|---|
| NIST | National Institute of Standards and Technology | ★ | U.S. agency offering voluntary standards for tech safety. |
| AI RMF | AI Risk Management Framework (NIST) | ★ | Voluntary framework for managing AI risks (bias, explainability, etc.). |
| OECD AI | OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence | ★ | Global non-binding principles for trustworthy AI. |
🌍 Global AI Compliance & Governance Overview
🇨🇦 Canada
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding? | Purpose |
|---|
| PIPEDA | Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act | ✅ | Federal privacy law governing commercial data use. |
| AIDA | Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (proposed) | 🔄 (Coming soon) | Will regulate high-impact AI systems once enacted. |
| CPPA | Consumer Privacy Protection Act (proposed) | 🔄 | Would replace PIPEDA with updated privacy protections. |
🇦🇺 Australia
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding? | Purpose |
|---|
| Privacy Act 1988 | Federal Privacy Law | ✅ | Governs handling of personal data, including AI-related processing. |
| AI Ethics Framework | Australian Government AI Ethics Principles | ★ | Eight non-binding principles for responsible AI use. |
🇳🇿 New Zealand
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding? | Purpose |
|---|
| Privacy Act 2020 | National Data Protection Law | ✅ | Requires transparency, data minimization, and accuracy — relevant to AI. |
🇸🇬 Singapore
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding? | Purpose |
|---|
| PDPA | Personal Data Protection Act | ✅ | Requires consent and accountability for data use in AI applications. |
| Model AI Governance Framework | National Framework for Trustworthy AI | ★ | Industry-led guide promoting explainability, fairness, and accountability. |
🇯🇵 Japan
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding? | Purpose |
|---|
| APPI | Act on the Protection of Personal Information | ✅ | Regulates personal data use and transfer, including in automated systems. |
| AI Utilization Guidelines | Government-issued AI guidance | ★ | Ethical and technical guidelines to promote safe AI development. |
🇰🇷 South Korea
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding? | Purpose |
|---|
| PIPA | Personal Information Protection Act | ✅ | Robust data privacy law applied to AI-related data processing. |
| AI Ethics Standards | Drafted by Ministry of Science and ICT | ★ | Non-binding standards focused on fairness, transparency, and human-centered values. |
🇧🇷 Brazil
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding? | Purpose |
|---|
| LGPD | Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (General Data Protection Law) | ✅ | Brazil’s GDPR-like privacy law covering AI-related data. |
| AI Legal Framework (Bill 21/2020) | Proposed AI-specific law | 🔄 | Would regulate ethical AI use once passed. Currently under review. |
🌐 Multinational & Intergovernmental
| Acronym | Full Name | Binding? | Purpose |
|---|
| UNESCO AI Ethics | UNESCO Recommendation on Ethics of AI | ★ | First global framework adopted by 193 countries for ethical AI governance. |
| GPAI | Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence | ★ | International initiative promoting responsible AI development. |
🧠 Summary Key
- ✅ = Legally binding
- 🔄 = In progress / proposed
- ★ = Voluntary, ethical, or advisory guidance
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