The CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and VCDPA (Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act) are both privacy laws that aim to protect the personal data of consumers. However, there are several key differences between the two laws.

CCPA vs VCDPA: Overview

The CCPA was enacted in California in 2018 and went into effect on January 1, 2020. It was the first privacy law in the United States to give consumers the right to know what personal information companies have collected about them, the right to request that their personal information be deleted, and the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information.

The VCDPA was enacted in Virginia in 2021 and is considered one of the strongest privacy laws in the United States. It provides comprehensive privacy protections for Virginia consumers, including the right to know what personal information companies have collected about them, the right to request that their personal information be deleted, and the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information.

CCPA vs VCDPA: Key Differences

  1. Coverage: The CCPA applies to businesses that collect personal information from California residents and have a gross annual revenue of $25 million or more, or that buy, receive, or sell the personal information of 50,000 or more consumers, households, or devices. The VCDPA applies to all data controllers that do business in Virginia, regardless of their size or revenue.
  2. Opt-Out of Sale: The CCPA gives consumers the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information. The VCDPA takes this a step further by requiring companies to obtain affirmative consent from consumers before selling their personal information.
  3. Right to Know: The CCPA gives consumers the right to know what personal information companies have collected about them. The VCDPA takes this a step further by requiring companies to provide consumers with a comprehensive report of all personal information they have collected, used, and disclosed.
  4. Enforcement: The CCPA provides for enforcement by the California Attorney General, but does not give consumers the right to sue companies for privacy violations. The VCDPA provides for enforcement by the Virginia Attorney General and gives consumers the right to sue companies for privacy violations.

Conclusion

Both the CCPA and VCDPA provide important privacy protections for consumers, but the VCDPA offers stronger and more comprehensive privacy rights and enforcement powers. Companies that do business in Virginia or with Virginia residents should be awa