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Christopher J. Buontempo

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[email protected]

+1.617.239.8322

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Chris is a corporate attorney who advises companies, investors, and private equity sponsors at the intersection of technology, data, and regulation, with a particular focus on privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

With more than 15 years of experience, Chris is known for helping clients translate complex and rapidly evolving regulatory requirements into practical, business-oriented solutions. He counsels organizations ranging from startups and high-growth companies to global enterprises across the technology, health care, consumer products, financial services, and e-commerce sectors.

A core focus of Chris’s practice is guiding clients through the global privacy and AI regulatory landscape, including compliance with the EU GDPR, the expanding patchwork of US state privacy laws (such as the CCPA), and emerging AI governance regimes. He advises on the design and implementation of scalable compliance programs and has deep experience with sector- and data-specific frameworks, including consumer health data (such as the Washington My Health, My Data Act and similar state laws), biometric data (such as BIPA), children’s and education data (COPPA, FERPA), location-based services, AdTech and tracking technologies, and gaming regulations, including sweepstakes and contests.

Chris is a trusted advisor on the technology, data, and AI aspects of M&A and private equity transactions, representing buyers, sellers, and sponsors in domestic and cross-border deals, including platform acquisitions and add-on investments for private equity sponsors. Chris has developed repeat relationships with sponsors, serving as a go-to advisor across multiple portfolio investments. He works closely with deal teams to assess data assets and technology infrastructure, conduct diligence on privacy and cybersecurity risk, and negotiate transaction terms addressing data rights, AI-related issues, and regulatory exposure. In addition, he drafts and negotiates complex commercial agreements, including SaaS, software licensing, data licensing and sharing arrangements, outsourcing transactions, and strategic technology partnerships. Chris also advises on data commercialization issues, including data brokers, secondary data uses, and regulatory scrutiny of data aggregation and resale.

Beyond transactions, Chris counsels clients on cybersecurity risk management and operational readiness, including incident response planning, vendor and supply chain risk, and the integration of privacy and security considerations into product development and technology procurement. He also conducts privacy audits and risk assessments and advises on the development of policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.

Chris frequently serves as outside general counsel to emerging and middle-market companies, including private equity portfolio companies, advising founders, executive teams, and boards on commercial strategy, contracting, and growth initiatives in data-driven businesses. He regularly supports PE-backed management teams through growth and operational milestones, including post-acquisition integration and preparation for subsequent transactions.

Prior to joining Mintz, Chris held in-house legal leadership roles at a global technology company and a global consumer products organization, where he oversaw legal, privacy, and enterprise risk management functions, giving him a practical understanding of how regulatory requirements impact business operations.

He is an active thought leader who regularly speaks and writes on developments in privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technology law.

viewpoints

UK Data Use and Access Act reforms the ICO complaints process, requiring controller engagement and 45-day responses. Prepare with updated policies and training.

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Two recent high profile settlements signal that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) will continue to aggressively enforce violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”). In a particularly high-profile settlement, Disney agrees to pay $10M, and Apitor, a toy manufacturer, agrees to make substantive changes to its privacy program.

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The California Consumer Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) Board has issued a Stipulated Final Order against Todd Snyder, Inc., a clothing retailer, ordering Todd Snyder to pay a $345,178 fine and implement various changes to its privacy program to resolve allegations from the CPPA that it violated the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). 

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Every year, Mintz provides analysis of the regulatory developments affecting public companies as they approach fiscal year-end filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and annual shareholder meetings. This memorandum highlights key considerations to guide you through the 2025 year-end reporting process.

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Dark Patterns come into focus as the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) issues September 4 Enforcement Advisory.

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The RIDTPPA provides privacy rights to Rhode Islanders and imposes obligations on covered entities largely in line with several other U.S. state privacy laws.

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Will the U.S. finally join most developed nations and pass a comprehensive federal privacy law?  Some believe this may be the year that the U.S. does just that.

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Learn more about the FTC's recent policy statement regarding the collection of consumer's biometric information.

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News & Press

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Mintz represented Delta Associated Investigations, a tech-enabled national provider of investigative and claims support services, in connection with A&M Capital Partners' acquisition of a majority interest in the company.

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Mintz advised Wavecrest Growth Partners on its acquisition of Dealerware, a leading software platform for dealer fleet and mobility program management, connecting over 60,000 vehicles at nearly 2,000 dealerships and OEMs across the US and Canada.

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Events & Speaking