ccpa
A legally-mandated CCPA data portal that gave customers control over their data while ensuring regulatory compliance.
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problem
Visible had no data portal when CCPA compliance became legally mandated. The risk wasn't just regulatory—Visible's brand was built on trust and transparency, and failing to deliver would undermine both. Initial approach assumed we'd need to build separate solutions for each state's requirements (California, Nevada, Arizona all had different laws). This would create backend complexity, extend timeline, and fragment the experience. The legal mandate was vague. After meeting with our legal counsel and reviewing the actual law, I recognized an opportunity: California always sets the strictest precedent. Other states typically follow beneath that standard.aking it difficult for pet owners to find peace of mind while away from their furry companions.
solution
I pitched a strategic reframe to marketing and product: Build once to California's highest standard, then offer it to all customers regardless of state. Position it as brand differentiator—"We don't have to give you this level of control, but we're choosing to because that's who we are." Marketing and product leadership approved immediately. This eliminated backend complexity (one build instead of multiple), reduced engineering scope, and turned regulatory compliance into a brand story about transparency. Worked closely with a product manager and technical program manager to execute ruthlessly fast. Stayed in sync with Verizon Wireless (parent company) to align on their approach while adapting for Visible's needs. Made key IA decision: Split "view data" and "manage data" into separate tabs rather than integrating into one page—simpler backend build, faster delivery, and matched actual usage patterns (most users view, few manage). Delivered ahead of schedule. Presented to Verizon Wireless executive and legal leadership—received outstanding reviews for how we worked the room and collaborated with legal stakeholders.
Five months to design, build, and ship a legally-mandated data portal from scratch. Working with product and engineering, we made strategic tradeoffs that accelerated delivery without compromising compliance.
Strategic reframe:
The initial plan was to build separate data portals for each state's requirements—California, Nevada, Arizona all had slightly different laws. After reviewing CCPA's actual language with legal counsel, I identified the pattern: California always sets the strictest precedent, and other states cascade beneath that standard over time.
I pitched this to marketing and product: Build once to California's ceiling, then give it to all customers regardless of location. Frame it as a brand statement—Visible doesn't have to offer this level of control everywhere, but chooses to because transparency is core to the brand.
This strategic decision eliminated backend complexity (one system instead of multiple), reduced engineering scope, accelerated timeline, and turned compliance into differentiation. Marketing ran with it immediately.
Execution speed:
Worked with product manager Jason Ary and a technical program manager to deliver in under 5 months. Stayed aligned with Verizon Wireless (parent company) to leverage their compliance work while adapting for Visible's brand and technical constraints.
Key IA decision: Split viewing and managing data into separate tabs rather than integrating into one interface. Rationale: Most users would view data, few would manage it. Splitting simplified the backend build and accelerated delivery without compromising usability.
Delivered lightweight, simple interface that matched Visible's existing experience—download data, assign authorized agent, manage marketing communications. Nothing more than legally required, executed cleanly.
Executive presentation:
Presented final design to Verizon Wireless executive and legal leadership. Received outstanding feedback for collaboration with legal stakeholders and how we "worked the room" during Q&A. Director of product: "I keep getting outstanding reviews about how you guys presented—that was five-star."
Impact:
Shipped ahead of schedule and maintained legal compliance throughout launch and beyond. The strategic reframe—building once to highest standard—eliminated engineering complexity and positioned Visible's compliance as brand differentiator rather than regulatory checkbox.
Converted from contractor to full-time employee with significant pay increase immediately following project completion.
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