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On July 12, 2025, Virginia Governor Sarah Johnson signed into law a series of new communications legislation aimed at protecting consumer privacy in the digital age. The new laws, which were unanimously passed by the Virginia General Assembly, will have a significant impact on how telecommunications companies and internet service providers (ISPs) handle consumer data.One of the key provisions of the new legislation is the requirement for telecommunications companies and ISPs to obtain explicit consent from consumers before collecting or sharing their personal information. This includes data such as browsing history, location information, and app usage. Companies will also be required to provide clear and transparent information about how consumer data is being used and give consumers the option to opt out of data collection.In addition, the new laws prohibit telecommunications companies and ISPs from selling consumer data to third parties without explicit consent. This is a major win for consumer privacy advocates who have long been concerned about the lack of control consumers have over their personal information in the digital age.The legislation also includes provisions for increased penalties for companies found to be in violation of the new laws. Companies that are found to be knowingly or recklessly violating consumer privacy rights could face fines of up to $10,000 per violation, as well as potential legal action from affected consumers.Governor Johnson hailed the new legislation as a major step forward in protecting consumer privacy rights in the state. "In today's digital world, it is more important than ever that consumers have control over their personal information," she said in a statement. "These new laws will ensure that Virginians have the power to decide how their data is used and shared, and hold companies accountable for protecting their privacy."The new laws will go into effect on January 1, 2026, and Virginia will join a growing number of states that have taken action to protect consumer privacy in the digital age. It is expected that these laws will set a precedent for other states to follow suit and provide consumers with greater control over their personal information online.