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On May 22, 2026, the state of North Carolina made headlines in the tech world as Governor Lisa Watson signed a new internet privacy law aimed at protecting residents' personal data online. The legislation, known as the North Carolina Internet Privacy Protection Act, comes in response to the increasing concerns over data breaches and online privacy violations.The new law mandates that internet service providers (ISPs) operating in North Carolina obtain explicit consent from customers before collecting or selling their personal information. This includes data such as browsing history, app usage, and geolocation information. ISPs will also be required to disclose the types of data they collect and provide customers with the option to opt-out of any data collection practices.Governor Watson emphasized the importance of protecting residents' privacy in the digital age, stating, "With the proliferation of technology and connectivity, it is crucial that we take proactive steps to safeguard our personal information. This law is a necessary measure to ensure that North Carolinians can trust that their data is being handled responsibly and ethically."The North Carolina Internet Privacy Protection Act is also notable for its strict enforcement provisions. Violations of the law can result in significant fines for ISPs, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses. Additionally, the state attorney general's office will have the authority to investigate complaints and take legal action against any ISPs found to be in violation of the law.Privacy advocates and consumer rights groups have praised the passage of the North Carolina Internet Privacy Protection Act as a significant step forward in protecting individuals' online data. They hope that other states will follow suit in enacting similar legislation to hold ISPs accountable for their data practices.Overall, the new internet privacy law in North Carolina represents a significant victory for consumer privacy rights in the state and sets a precedent for other states to prioritize data protection measures in the digital age. Residents can now rest assured that their personal information is better safeguarded when browsing the internet.