If you own a piece of equipment, you should be able to fix it. This seems like a fairly obvious and uncontroversial idea, right? And yet, more and more, consumers are unable to make basic repairs to products they own because manufacturers refuse to provide the parts, tools, and documentation necessary to do so. That’s …
This isn’t breaking news, but it can’t be repeated enough – the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic devastation it has wrought has caused many Vermonters to face incredible hardships. In Vermont, our elected leaders have enacted a number of policies to mitigate the financial impact of this crisis – and VPIRG members have supported several …
VPIRG Supports a Moratorium on Auto Repossessions During the Pandemic Read More »
Act 89 – a wide-ranging data privacy and consumer protection law goes into effect today. This VPIRG-supported law contains a number of key provisions that safeguard Vermont students’ privacy, better informs all Vermonters when their data has been compromised and keeps Vermonters out of unwanted ‘zombie contacts.’ VPIRG members and advocates supported Act 89 during …
Student Privacy and Consumer Protection Law Takes Effect Read More »
S.110 – a wide-ranging data privacy and consumer protection law is on Governor Phil Scott’s desk. This VPIRG-supported bill contains a number of key provisions aimed at better protecting Vermonters’ personal information, informing them when their data has been compromised and keeping them out of unwanted ‘zombie contacts.’ S.110 was introduced at the beginning of …
Student Data Privacy Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk Read More »
Today, Governor Scott signed into law the most significant set of policies in years to expand and improve broadband internet access throughout the state. H.513 – the VPIRG-backed broadband expansion bill – increases the funding needed to boost state government support for local internet startups and establishes a state revolving loan fund to help these …
Today the Vermont House took one of the most significant steps in years to expand and improve broadband internet access throughout the state. The House passed H.513 – a VPIRG-backed broadband expansion bill – on an overwhleming 139-2 vote. In doing so, legislators have recognized that the largest telecom companies will not adequately serve all …
The Vermont Senate gave final approval Thursday to a VPIRG-backed bill (S.110) aimed at protecting students and their parents from the misuse of data collected via educational software. The bill is modeled on legislation enacted in California in 2016 that prevents technology companies from using student data gathered via educational software and websites for non-educational …
Last week, Marriott International revealed that it suffered a breach of its Starwood reservation database. The breach exposed the personal information of up to 500 million people. The breach began back in 2014 and anyone who stayed at any of Marriott’s Starwood properties (i.e. W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, …
Vermont consumers scored major victories this week when two VPIRG-supported digital consumer protection bills were enacted into law. On Tuesday, Gov Phil Scott signed the net neutrality bill (S.289) and let the data broker bill (H.764) become law without his signature. Net Neutrality By enacting this law Vermont has taken a critical step toward countering …
Net neutrality, data privacy bills enacted into law Read More »
All session long, VPIRG and our members have been advocating for H.764 – better known as the Data Broker Bill. Data brokers are third party companies (like Equifax) that buy and sell your personal information without your knowledge. You don’t interact with these companies and would probably be surprised to learn that they may have …
Vermont Close to Passing Landmark Data Privacy Legislation Read More »
