Citation[]
Video Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (VPPA), Pub. L. No. 100-618, 102 Stat. 3195 (1988), codified as amended, 18 U.S.C. §2710.
Overview[]
The VPPA addresses information about consumers' videotape purchases and rentals. The Act requires video tape service providers, companies that sell or rent videotapes, to obtain written consent from consumers to disclose the consumers' personally identifiable information (i.e., information that identifies the consumer as having requested or obtained specific video material or services). Companies may disclose lists of consumer names and addresses only if they first give consumers an opportunity to opt-out of such information disclosure, or if that information will be used only to market goods and services directly to the consumer.
Additionally, information collected by video tape service providers is required to be destroyed within a year from the date the information is no longer needed for the business purpose for which it was obtained.
The Act provides for liquidated damages of $2,500 for each violation.