Vermont Joins Bipartisan Coalition of Privacy Regulators to Strengthen Data Privacy Efforts

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that Vermont has joined the Consortium of Privacy Regulators, a bipartisan coalition of state privacy regulators and attorneys general partnering to implement and enforce consumer privacy laws across the country. The consortium was created so participating states can share expertise, resources, and enforcement strategies when addressing potential violations of state privacy laws.

Attorney General Clark's participation follows the passage of the Vermont Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act, the state's new comprehensive consumer privacy law signed this June. The law will take effect in 2028 and will give Vermonters new rights over how businesses collect and use their personal information.

"Vermonters should not have to give up their privacy to participate in modern life," said Attorney General Clark. "Whether we're shopping online, using social media, or simply carrying a smartphone, companies are collecting enormous amounts of our personal information. Vermont's new privacy law gives each of us greater control over corporate use of our data, and joining this consortium will help my office work with other states to enforce those protections effectively and hold companies accountable when they violate the law."

Attorney General Clark's Office has already worked extensively with other states on privacy and consumer protection. Over the last five years, those multistate efforts have secured more than $8 million in settlements for Vermont, along with many meaningful improvements to companies' privacy and data security practices. Joining the consortium will strengthen those partnerships as Vermont prepares to implement and enforce its new privacy law.

"We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the Green Mountain State as jurisdictions nationwide continue working together," said Michael Macko, head of enforcement at CalPrivacy. "These partnerships benefit consumers and promote a predictable, rights-oriented enforcement landscape for businesses."

"Big businesses are harnessing more and more data about us," said Tom Kemp, the Agency's Executive Director. "Collaboration across states empowers consumers and leads to better privacy protections for everyone."

With Vermont's participation, consortium members now include the California Privacy Protection Agency and state attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Vermont.

Contact:

Haley Sommer, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171