Virginia Bans Sale of Precise Geolocation Data Under New Law
Virginia will prohibit the sale of consumers’ precise geolocation data starting July 2026.
Why it matters: The law positions Virginia as a leader in privacy regulation, directly impacting any business that collects or sells location data. Its passage reflects a shifting legal landscape—one that may inspire similar action in other states and at the federal level.
- Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the ban into law on April 14, 2026.
- The law targets any data identifying a person’s location within a 1,750-foot radius.
- Legislation received unanimous, bipartisan support in the Virginia legislature.
- Virginia now joins Maryland and Oregon with such measures, amplifying a national trend.
Virginia has amended its Consumer Data Protection Act to explicitly ban the sale of precise geolocation data by July 1, 2026. Governor Abigail Spanberger signed S.B. 338 into law with full bipartisan support, underlining broad consensus about the need for stricter privacy protections.
The law’s definition of ‘precise geolocation data’ covers any information that can pinpoint a person’s location within 1,750 feet—addressing mounting concerns over location tracking and data brokerage.
- Matt Schwartz, Senior Policy Analyst at Consumer Reports, praised the law, saying it will protect Virginians from stalking, scams, and identity theft.
- Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), noted that S.B. 338 would halt some of the “most harmful abuses of our personal data.”
Virginia becomes the third state—after Maryland and Oregon—to restrict the commercial sale of location data, a data category previously bought and sold with limited oversight. The measure’s broad legislative support signals increased recognition of consumer risks and is likely to influence both private sector compliance and broader regulatory efforts nationwide.
By the numbers:
- 1,750 feet — The radius defining 'precise geolocation data' under the new law.
- July 1, 2026 — Date when Virginia’s ban on geolocation data sales takes effect.
- 3 states — Virginia joins Maryland and Oregon in adopting this protection.
Yes, but: Details on enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violations have not been specified.