Security News > 2021 > February > Virginia Lawmakers Advance Consumer Data Protection Act
The General Assembly is advancing legislation that allows Virginia consumers more protection with their online data, though opponents say the measure does not include the ability for people to file private lawsuits against companies that breach the proposed law.
The measure is known as the Consumer Data Protection Act in both chambers of the state legislature.
The data protection act allows consumers to retrieve a copy of their online data, amend or delete this data and opt out of allowing large businesses to sell the data.
Under the Consumer Data Protection Act, the attorney general's office would handle the enforcement of this legislation.
Harkins said that the measure stands alongside leading data protection legislation such as California's Consumer Privacy Act and aspects of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation.
Using a hypothetical scenario, Dix asked what would happen to Virginians if there was an administration change and the Attorney General did not prioritize data protection.