Video Privacy Protection Act of 1988
VPPA
Other
The VPPA bars video tape service providers from knowingly disclosing personally identifiable information about the videos a consumer requested or obtained, with limited exceptions. The 2013 amendment allows consent to be given electronically and in advance for up to two years. It is now a frequent basis for class actions over tracking pixels on video pages.
- Where
- Federal
- Citation
- 18 U.S.C. 2710
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 1988-11-05
- Last amended
- 2013-01-10
- Enforced by
- Private civil actions
- People can sue
- Yes
- Penalties
- Actual damages but not less than $2,500 liquidated damages, punitive damages, fees, and equitable relief.
- Applies to
- Video tape service providers: businesses engaged in the rental, sale, or delivery of prerecorded video cassette tapes or similar audio visual materials, including many online video services
Practices it requires
- Do not knowingly disclose a consumer's personally identifiable information, including video titles requested or obtained, except as the statute permits.18 U.S.C. 2710(b)(1)
- Disclosure with consent requires informed, written consent in a separate and distinct form, which may be given electronically and last up to two years or until withdrawn.18 U.S.C. 2710(b)(2)(B)
- Destroy personally identifiable information as soon as practicable, and no later than one year after it is no longer needed for the purpose collected.18 U.S.C. 2710(e)
Other duties
- Aggrieved persons may sue for liquidated damages of at least $2,500.18 U.S.C. 2710(c)
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: Circuit split on who is a 'consumer' and what counts as PII in pixel cases was not researched
Research reference, not legal advice.