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On November 25, 2025, the state of Virginia took a significant step towards protecting its residents' online privacy by passing a new internet law aimed at safeguarding user data. The law, known as the Virginia Internet Privacy Act, was unanimously approved by the state legislature and will go into effect on January 1, 2026.Under the provisions of the Virginia Internet Privacy Act, internet service providers (ISPs) in the state will be required to obtain explicit consent from users before collecting, storing, or selling their personal information. This includes data such as browsing history, app usage, and location information. ISPs will also be prohibited from engaging in targeted advertising based on this data without the user's consent.In addition, the law mandates that ISPs must inform users of any data breaches that may compromise their personal information within 72 hours of the breach occurring. Failure to do so could result in significant fines and penalties for the ISP.Governor John Doe praised the passage of the Virginia Internet Privacy Act, stating that it was a crucial step towards protecting the rights of Virginia residents in the digital age. "Our online activities should not come at the cost of sacrificing our privacy. This law will ensure that Virginians have control over their own data and can trust that it is being handled responsibly by ISPs," he said.The Virginia Internet Privacy Act comes at a time of increasing concerns over online privacy and data security. With the rise of cyberattacks and data breaches, many states have been looking to strengthen their internet privacy laws to better protect their residents. Virginia's new law sets a strong precedent for other states to follow in safeguarding user data online.