What is the difference between data protection and privacy law?

Data protection and privacy law are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are important distinctions between them. Data protection law focuses on the storage, transfer, and use of personal data. It provides for rules and regulations that govern how companies can collect, store, and process a person’s data, like their name, address, health information, or bank details. In Virginia, data protection is governed by the Virginia Data Protection Act, which requires companies to maintain certain minimum standards for protecting personal data and to notify customers if a data security breach occurs. Privacy law, on the other hand, focuses on the personal rights of individuals in regards to how their information is used. In Virginia, privacy law is governed by the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, which provides individuals with the right to have access to their personal data, to have it corrected or restricted, and to have it deleted. It also requires companies to provide a transparent and understandable privacy policy that outlines how they will use and protect the personal information that they collect. These two types of law work together in order to protect individuals from harm and ensure that their personal data is used responsibly and ethically. It is important to understand the differences between data protection and privacy law in order to understand how your personal information is being used and to protect your rights.

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