Virginia Joins Growing State Effort to Restrict Sale of Location Data
A Virginia privacy bill aims to close a gap in the state’s consumer data protection law.
A Virginia privacy bill aims to close a gap in the state’s consumer data protection law.
Feb. 3, 2026 – Legislation reintroduced in Virginia would prohibit companies from selling consumers’ precise geolocation data, tightening the state’s Consumer Data Protection Act as lawmakers revisit location privacy protections.
Consumer Reports voiced support for the bill, SB 338, saying it would close a gap in existing state law.
The bill, introduced by Virginia State Sen. Russet Perry, a Democrat representing parts of Fauquier and Loudoun counties, seeks to close what lawmakers describe as a major gap in privacy protections by banning the commercial sale of location data that can track individuals’ movements in real time.
State regulators say AT&T’s federal preemption claim lacks merit.
NTIA has been adamant that it’s preventing defaults
Telecom industry groups and Republican lawmakers said the court’s previous decision made it harder for Congress to nullify disfavored rules
The program’s mobile broadband data allowance has remained unchanged since 2020.