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The US and EU regulatory walls non-US founders hit, answered before you build.
Is it legal to scrape public data to build my product?
Scraping public data is usually not banned, but public personal data is still personal data. Under GDPR you owe the people notice, normally within one month. The wall is transparency, not the scrape itself.
Is it legal to build an AI that explains legal documents?
Building an AI that explains a person's legal or immigration documents can be the unauthorized practice of law. The wall is interpreting a document for someone, not the AI itself.
Do I need COPPA compliance for my kids app?
If children under 13 use your app and you collect their data, COPPA requires verifiable parental consent before you collect anything. The wall is the data, and a parent's email is not consent.
Do I need a money transmitter license for my payment app?
If your product collects, holds, and pays out other people's money, that is money transmission, a licensed activity in most markets. The wall is whose money flows through you, not the checkout.
Do I need a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement for my health app?
If your customers are HIPAA-covered providers and your tool touches their patients' data, you are a Business Associate and need a signed BAA. The wall is the data you hold, not the feature.
Do I need to be a registered investment adviser to build a stock recommendation app?
If your app gives personalized buy or sell calls, US law treats you as an investment adviser. A general information tool may be exempt. The line is personalization.