Some Consumer Groups Seek Veto of Virginia Privacy Bill

Gov. Ralph Northam (D) should scrap Virginia’s privacy bill that passed the legislature last week (see 2102190041), some said Thursday. The Virginia Citizens Consumer Council (VCCC), Consumer Federation of America, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group sent Northam a letter urging him to veto the legislation or send it back to the legislature for reconsideration next January. “Virginia has taken a business-first perspective that codifies business-designed obstacles to consumers having meaningful control of their personal information,” said VCCC President Irene Leech. Consumer Reports urged Northam to sign the bill but said legislators should work next session to strengthen it. “This bill has some important privacy provisions, but consumers need more practical options,” said CR Policy Analyst Maureen Mahoney. Northam's office didn’t comment.