Vermont Passes Strong Data Privacy Law with Unprecedented Private Right of Action provision

Vermont Passes Strong Data Privacy Law Allowing Individuals to Sue Companies for Violating Rights

In a groundbreaking move, Vermont’s legislature has passed one of the country’s strongest comprehensive data privacy laws, giving individuals the power to sue companies for violating their privacy rights. This unprecedented provision sets Vermont apart from other states with similar laws and marks a significant step towards protecting consumer data.

The new law includes data minimization requirements, which limit the personal data companies can gather and use, as well as a ban on selling consumers’ sensitive data. Individuals now have the right to take legal action against businesses they believe have violated their privacy rights, without relying on state authorities to intervene.

The private right of action included in the Vermont bill will need to be reauthorized after two years and only applies to large data brokers. Additionally, the legislation establishes tough civil rights safeguards to prevent discrimination, ensuring that all individuals are protected under the law.

This move comes at a crucial time when concerns about data privacy and surveillance are at an all-time high. With the rise of the surveillance economy, lawmakers and advocates are pushing for stronger privacy protections to safeguard individuals’ rights in the digital age.

The Vermont bill’s private right of action is seen as a significant win for consumers, granting them the ability to defend their rights against big tech companies’ data abuses. The legislation also limits how companies can use geolocation data, further enhancing privacy protections for individuals.

The passage of Vermont’s data privacy law coincides with efforts at the federal level to enact comprehensive privacy legislation. Senators and Representatives have introduced the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), a sweeping bill that aims to make privacy a consumer right and give Americans more control over their data.

However, there are concerns about federal legislation preempting state laws, with some state attorneys general urging Congress to respect and not override more protective state privacy laws. As the debate over data privacy continues, the passage of Vermont’s strong privacy law sets a new standard for protecting consumer data and holding companies accountable for privacy violations.