Virginia Bans Sale of Precise Geolocation Data
Summary
Virginia enacted a law barring sales of precise geolocation data within a 1,750-foot radius. The measure amends the state privacy law, takes effect July 1, and follows similar laws in Maryland and Oregon.
Key points
- Virginia’s law prohibits the sale of precise geolocation data within a 1,750-foot radius.
- The measure amends Virginia’s comprehensive data privacy law and takes effect July 1; the legislature passed it unanimously.
- Maryland and Oregon have similar laws, while legislation is pending in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont.
- The article cites reports of location data being used to track national security officials and people visiting abortion clinics.
- The FTC’s case against data broker Kochava remains unresolved; the article says the proposed settlement has not been finalized.
Article Details
- Event Type
- State privacy legislation enacted
- Impact
- Virginia's law bans the sale of precise geolocation data within a 1,750-foot radius and takes effect July 1. The article says the measure passed unanimously and is intended to prevent brokers from pinpointing where people live, work, worship, shop, or travel. Reports and investigations have alleged that data brokers, including Kochava, sold near-real-time location data; the article also notes that the proposed settlement in the FTC's Kochava case has not been finalized.
People
Matt SchwartzA policy analyst at Consumer Reports who commented on the growing momentum for stricter state rules on location data.Ron WydenThe article reports that the senator announced findings by his staff concerning an anti-abortion organization that allegedly used mobile phone location data to target people who visited reproductive health clinics.