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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>83673</law_id><section_number>59.1-577</section_number><catch_line>Personal data rights; consumers</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>59.1-575</reference><reference>59.1-578</reference><reference>59.1-581</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="53">Consumer Data Protection Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> may invoke the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> rights authorized pursuant to this subsection at any time by submitting a request to a <span class="dictionary">controller</span> specifying the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> rights the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> wishes to invoke. A known <span class="dictionary">child</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">parent</span> or legal guardian may invoke such <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> rights on behalf of the <span class="dictionary">child</span> regarding <span class="dictionary">processing</span> <span class="dictionary">personal data</span> belonging to the known <span class="dictionary">child</span>. A <span class="dictionary">controller</span> shall comply with an authenticated <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> request to exercise the right: <a id="paragraph-299904" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To confirm whether or not a <span class="dictionary">controller</span> is <span class="dictionary">processing</span> the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">personal data</span> and to access such <span class="dictionary">personal data</span>; <a id="paragraph-299905" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To correct inaccuracies in the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">personal data</span>, taking into account the nature of the <span class="dictionary">personal data</span> and the purposes of the <span class="dictionary">processing</span> of the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">personal data</span>; <a id="paragraph-299906" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> To delete <span class="dictionary">personal data</span> provided by or obtained about the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>; <a id="paragraph-299907" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> To obtain a copy of the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">personal data</span> that the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> previously provided to the <span class="dictionary">controller</span> in a portable and, to the extent technically feasible, readily usable format that allows the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> to transmit the data to another <span class="dictionary">controller</span> without hindrance, where the <span class="dictionary">processing</span> is carried out by automated means; and <a id="paragraph-299908" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> To opt out of the <span class="dictionary">processing</span> of the personal data for purposes of (i) <span class="dictionary">targeted advertising</span>, (ii) the <span class="dictionary">sale of personal data</span>, or (iii) <span class="dictionary">profiling</span> in furtherance of decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects concerning the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>. <a id="paragraph-299909" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a <span class="dictionary">controller</span> shall comply with a request by a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> to exercise the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> rights authorized pursuant to subsection A as follows: <a id="paragraph-299910" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A <span class="dictionary">controller</span> shall respond to the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> without undue delay, but in all cases within 45 days of receipt of the request submitted pursuant to the methods described in subsection A. The response period may be extended once by 45 additional days when reasonably necessary, taking into account the complexity and number of the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s requests, so long as the <span class="dictionary">controller</span> informs the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> of any such extension within the initial 45-day response period, together with the reason for the extension. <a id="paragraph-299911" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If a <span class="dictionary">controller</span> declines to take action regarding the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s request, the <span class="dictionary">controller</span> shall inform the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> without undue delay, but in all cases and at the latest within 45 days of receipt of the request, of the justification for declining to take action and instructions for how to <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> the decision pursuant to subsection C. <a id="paragraph-299912" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Information provided in response to a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> request shall be provided by a <span class="dictionary">controller</span> free of charge, up to twice annually per <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>. If requests from a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> are manifestly unfounded, excessive, or repetitive, the <span class="dictionary">controller</span> may charge the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs of complying with the request or decline to act on the request. The <span class="dictionary">controller</span> bears the burden of demonstrating the manifestly unfounded, excessive, or repetitive nature of the request. <a id="paragraph-299913" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> If a <span class="dictionary">controller</span> is unable to <span class="dictionary">authenticate</span> the request using commercially reasonable efforts, the <span class="dictionary">controller</span> shall not be required to comply with a request to initiate an action under subsection A and may request that the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> provide additional information reasonably necessary to <span class="dictionary">authenticate</span> the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> and the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s request. <a id="paragraph-299914" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> A <span class="dictionary">controller</span> that has obtained personal data about a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> from a source other than the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> shall be deemed in compliance with a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s request to delete such data pursuant to subdivision A 3 by either (i) retaining a record of the deletion request and the minimum data necessary for the purpose of ensuring the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s personal data remains deleted from the business&#x2019;s records and not using such retained data for any other purpose pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or (ii) opting the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> out of the <span class="dictionary">processing</span> of such personal data for any purpose except for those exempted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. <a id="paragraph-299915" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A <span class="dictionary">controller</span> shall establish a <span class="dictionary">process</span> for a <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> to <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> the <span class="dictionary">controller</span>&#x2019;s refusal to take action on a request within a reasonable period of time after the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span>&#x2019;s receipt of the decision pursuant to subdivision B 2. The <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> <span class="dictionary">process</span> shall be conspicuously available and similar to the <span class="dictionary">process</span> for submitting requests to initiate action pursuant to subsection A. Within 60 days of receipt of an <span class="dictionary">appeal</span>, a <span class="dictionary">controller</span> shall inform the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> in writing of any action taken or not taken in response to the <span class="dictionary">appeal</span>, including a written explanation of the reasons for the decisions. If the <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> is denied, the <span class="dictionary">controller</span> shall also provide the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> with an online mechanism, if available, or other method through which the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> may contact the <span class="dictionary">Attorney General</span> to submit a complaint. <a id="paragraph-299916" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-577/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 35, 36; 2022, c. 423.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
