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On June 10, 2026, Vermont lawmakers took a significant step towards safeguarding the privacy of their residents by passing a new internet privacy law. The legislation, known as the Online Data Protection Act, aims to protect Vermonters from having their online data harvested and sold to third parties without their consent.Under the new law, internet service providers and websites operating in Vermont will be required to obtain explicit consent from users before collecting, storing, or sharing their personal information. This includes data such as browsing history, search queries, and location information. The legislation also mandates that companies must inform users of how their data will be used and provide them with the option to opt out of having their information sold or shared.The Online Data Protection Act also includes strict penalties for violations of the law. Companies found to be in breach of the legislation could face fines of up to $10,000 per violation, as well as potential legal action from affected Vermont residents.Vermont Governor, Jane Smith, expressed her support for the new law, stating that "privacy is a fundamental right that should be protected both offline and online. With the passage of the Online Data Protection Act, Vermont is leading the way in ensuring that our residents have control over their personal information and are not subjected to intrusive data collection practices."Privacy advocates have praised the legislation as a crucial step towards establishing stronger digital privacy protections for consumers. They hope that other states will follow Vermont's lead in implementing comprehensive internet privacy laws to protect individuals from the increasingly pervasive data collection practices of online companies.The Online Data Protection Act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, giving internet service providers and websites operating in Vermont ample time to adjust their practices to comply with the new regulations. Residents of Vermont can now rest assured that their online data will be better protected from unauthorized use and exploitation.