Virginia Data Privacy Rights: How to Remove Your Data Under VCDPA

Your personal data is valuable. Every time you make an online purchase, sign up for a service, or fill out a form, companies collect information about you. In Virginia, you have legal rights to control what happens with that data—but many residents don't know how to exercise them.

The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) represents a significant shift in how businesses must handle personal information. Unlike previous eras where data collection was largely unregulated, Virginia now gives residents concrete tools to request data deletion, opt out of sales, and hold companies accountable.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about Virginia privacy rights and how to reclaim control of your personal data.

Overview of Privacy Laws in Virginia

Virginia joined a growing number of states implementing comprehensive privacy legislation when Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the VCDPA into law in March 2021. The law took effect on January 1, 2023, making Virginia one of the earlier adopters of state-level privacy protection alongside California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah.

What Is the VCDPA?

The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act is a comprehensive privacy law that regulates how businesses collect, process, and share personal data of Virginia residents. It applies to for-profit entities that:

Conduct business in Virginia
Collect personal data of Virginia residents
Control or process personal data of at least 100,000 Virginia consumers (or households)
Derive revenue from selling or sharing consumers' personal data

The law doesn't apply to small businesses below these thresholds, nor does it cover government agencies, nonprofits, or certain financial institutions already regulated under federal law.

How Does VCDPA Compare to Other State Laws?

Virginia's approach sits between California's comprehensive CCPA and more limited state laws. Here's how it compares:

CCPA (California): More expansive, includes a private right of action allowing consumers to sue for data breaches
VCDPA (Virginia): Focuses on consumer rights and business obligations, enforced by the Attorney General
GDPR (European Union): Stricter than all U.S. laws, with higher penalties and broader applicability

While GDPR is considered the gold standard globally, VCDPA provides meaningful protections specifically tailored to Virginia residents.

Your Specific Rights Under Virginia Privacy Law

The VCDPA grants Virginia residents several explicit rights regarding their personal data. Understanding these rights is the first step toward protecting your privacy.

Right to Know

You have the right to know what personal data a business collects about you. You can request:

Categories of personal data collected
Purposes for which data is used
Categories of sources from which data is collected
Specific pieces of personal data a company holds about you

Businesses must respond to these requests within 45 days (or 60 days if the request is complex).

Right to Delete

Perhaps the most powerful right under Virginia data privacy law, you can request deletion of personal data collected from you. Businesses must delete your data within 45 days, except when:

Deletion would prevent them from providing services you requested
You consented to retain the data for a specific purpose
Deletion would violate other legal obligations
Data is aggregated or de-identified

This right specifically addresses why many Virginians feel their data is out of control—companies can no longer simply keep your information indefinitely.

Right to Correct

You can request correction of inaccurate personal data. This is particularly important given how data brokers often maintain outdated or incorrect information about you.

Right to Data Portability

You can request your data in a portable format from a business. This allows you to move your information between services.

Right to Opt Out

You have the right to opt out of:

Targeted advertising: Businesses cannot use your data to create profiles for targeted ads
Sale or sharing of personal data: Companies cannot sell or share your information with third parties
Profiling: Automated processing that produces legal or similarly significant effects

Right to Appeal

If a business denies your request, you have the right to appeal their decision.

How to Exercise Your Data Deletion Rights

Requesting data deletion under VCDPA involves several steps. Here's how to do it yourself:

Step 1: Identify Which Companies Have Your Data

Start by listing businesses you've interacted with:

Online retailers (Amazon, eBay, etc.)
Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
Email services (Gmail, Outlook)
Financial institutions
Healthcare providers
Data brokers (companies you've never directly interacted with)

Many people are surprised to learn that data brokers—companies that buy and sell personal information—likely have extensive files on them.

Step 2: Locate Privacy Policies and Data Request Forms

Most large companies now have privacy policies and data request mechanisms. Look for:

"Privacy" or "Your Privacy" links on websites
"Data Subject Rights" or "Consumer Rights" sections
"Do Not Sell My Personal Information" links
Contact information for privacy teams

Step 3: Submit Your Request

You can typically request data deletion by:

Filling out an online form on the company's website
Emailing their privacy team
Calling their customer service line
Mailing a written request to their privacy officer

Your request should clearly state:

Your full name and any aliases used
Your current address and any previous addresses
Your email address and phone number
A clear statement: "I am a Virginia resident requesting deletion of my personal data under the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act"
Specific data you want deleted (or request all personal data)

Step 4: Keep Records

Document everything:

Date you submitted the request
Company name and contact method
Confirmation numbers or email receipts
Deadline for response (45 days from submission)
Response received and action taken

Step 5: Follow Up

If a company doesn't respond within 45 days or denies your request without valid reason, you can escalate to Virginia's Attorney General.

Which Data Brokers Operate in Virginia

Data brokers are companies that collect and sell personal information about you without your direct knowledge. They operate in the shadows of the internet, aggregating data from public records, online transactions, and other sources.

Major Data Brokers in Virginia's Market

While hundreds of data brokers exist, some of the largest include:

Experian: Credit reporting and data aggregation
Equifax: Credit reporting and consumer data
TransUnion: Credit reporting and identity verification
LexisNexis: Risk assessment and data analytics
Acxiom: Data aggregation and marketing lists
Spokeo: People search and public records
Whitepages: Phone number and address lookups
BeenVerified: Background check and people search
MyLife: People search and reputation management
Pipl: Identity verification and data aggregation

What Data Do They Collect?

Data brokers typically maintain:

Full name, address, and phone number
Email addresses (multiple)
Social Security number (sometimes)
Age and date of birth
Marital status and family relationships
Purchase history
Browsing behavior
Financial information
Interests and hobbies
Property ownership

This information is compiled into detailed profiles and sold to marketers, employers, insurers, and other businesses.

Why This Matters

Data brokers are often the reason you receive targeted ads, spam calls, and unwanted mail. They're also why your information appears in people search websites. Under VCDPA, you have the right to request deletion from these brokers—but doing so manually is extremely time-consuming.

Step-by-Step: Filing a Complaint with the Virginia Attorney General

If a business ignores your data deletion request or denies it without valid reason, you can escalate the matter to Virginia's Attorney General.

Step 1: Gather Documentation

Before filing, collect:

Your original data deletion request (dated)
Company's response (or proof of non-response after 45 days)
Your follow-up communications
Any denials with explanations
Evidence you are a Virginia resident

Step 2: Review the Attorney General's Process

Virginia's Attorney General handles VCDPA complaints through their Consumer Protection division. Visit the official website to understand current procedures and any forms required.

Step 3: Submit Your Complaint

You can typically file a complaint by:

Visiting the Attorney General's consumer complaint portal
Emailing the Consumer Protection division
Mailing a written complaint to the Attorney General's office
Calling their consumer protection hotline

Your complaint should include:

Your contact information
Company name and contact information
Detailed description of what happened
Dates of your requests and company responses
Explanation of why you believe the company violated VCDPA
Copies of all documentation
Specific remedy you're requesting (data deletion)

Step 4: Cooperate with Investigation

The Attorney General may investigate your complaint. Be prepared to:

Provide additional information if requested
Clarify details about your request
Participate in settlement discussions
Testify if the case proceeds to enforcement action

Step 5: Understand Possible Outcomes

The Attorney General may:

Dismiss the complaint if insufficient evidence of violation
Negotiate a settlement with the company
Issue a cease and desist order
Pursue civil penalties against the company
Refer the matter to other agencies

Note that VCDPA complaints are enforced by the Attorney General—individual consumers cannot file private lawsuits under this law (unlike California's CCPA).

How GhostMyData Automates Removals Under VCDPA

Manually requesting data deletion from dozens of companies and data brokers is impractical for most people. You'd need to spend hours researching privacy policies, filling out forms, tracking responses, and following up on non-compliant businesses.

This is where GhostMyData comes in.

What GhostMyData Does

GhostMyData is a data privacy removal service that automates the entire process of exercising your Virginia privacy rights. Instead of handling requests individually, we:

Identify all major data brokers and companies holding your information
Generate personalized data deletion requests compliant with VCDPA
Submit requests on your behalf to dozens of companies
Track responses and deadlines
Follow up with non-compliant businesses
Escalate to authorities when necessary
Provide ongoing monitoring to prevent data re-collection

How It Works

Getting started is simple:

Free Scan: We scan the internet to identify where your data appears
Review Results: You see which data brokers and companies have your information
Authorize Removals: Select which companies you want us to contact
We Handle It: Our team submits compliant VCDPA requests on your behalf
Track Progress: Monitor removal status through your dashboard
Ongoing Protection: We monitor for data re-collection and handle new removal requests

Why Automate?

Manual data removal has several problems:

Time-consuming: 40+ hours to contact all major data brokers
Error-prone: Missing proper legal language can result in rejections
Incomplete: Easy to miss data brokers you don't know about
Ineffective: Companies ignore informal requests without proper documentation
Exhausting: Tracking 50+ simultaneous requests is nearly impossible

GhostMyData eliminates these headaches by using our expertise in privacy law and our relationships with data brokers to ensure your requests are taken seriously.

Results You Can Expect

Within 90 days of using GhostMyData:

Your data will be removed from major data brokers
Removal requests will be submitted to all major companies
You'll see measurable reduction in targeted ads and spam
Your information will be harder to find through people search sites
You'll have documented proof of removal requests for your records

Learn More About How It Works

Visit our detailed guide to understand exactly how GhostMyData processes your removal requests and manages the entire VCDPA compliance process.

FAQ: Virginia Data Privacy Rights

What if I'm not sure if I'm a Virginia resident under VCDPA?

VCDPA applies to anyone who is a Virginia resident at the time they submit a data deletion request. Residency is generally established by your current address. If you've recently moved, use your current Virginia address. If you've moved out of Virginia, the law no longer applies to you for future requests, though you may still be covered for data collected while you were a resident.

How long does it take for companies to delete my data?

Under VCDPA, businesses have 45 days to respond to data deletion requests. However, actual deletion may take longer. Some companies delete immediately, while others take the full 45 days. Data brokers are often slower. GhostMyData tracks all timelines and follows up with non-responsive companies.

Can companies charge me for data deletion requests?

No. Under VCDPA, businesses cannot charge you for exercising your privacy rights, including data deletion requests. If a company tries to charge you, this is a violation of the law. Report it to the Virginia Attorney General.

What if a company says they can't delete my data?

Companies can only refuse deletion if:

Deletion would prevent providing services you requested
You consented to keep data for a specific purpose
They have a legal obligation to retain it
The data is aggregated or de-identified

If a company refuses deletion without one of these valid reasons, you can file a complaint with the Virginia Attorney General. GhostMyData can help you determine if their refusal is legitimate.

Will removing my data affect my credit score?

No. Credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) maintain credit information separately from their data brokerage operations. Requesting deletion of data brokerage information doesn't affect your credit file. However, you have separate rights to dispute inaccurate credit information directly with credit bureaus.

Take Control of Your Virginia Privacy Rights Today

Your personal data is yours to control. The VCDPA gives you powerful rights to know what companies know about you, delete information you don't want them to have, and opt out of data sales and targeted advertising.

But exercising these rights manually is tedious and often ineffective. Companies ignore casual requests, and tracking dozens of simultaneous removal requests is a logistical nightmare.

GhostMyData simplifies everything. Our automated service handles the entire VCDPA removal process, ensuring your requests are legally compliant, properly documented, and actually followed. Within 90 days, you'll see your data removed from major data brokers and your online privacy significantly improved.

Ready to reclaim your privacy?

Start with a free scan to see exactly where your data appears online. No credit card required. You'll get a detailed report showing which data brokers have your information and exactly what data they're holding.

Then, let GhostMyData handle the rest. We'll submit compliant VCDPA requests, track responses, follow up with non-compliant companies, and provide you with documented proof of removal.

Your privacy matters. Let's protect it.

Start Your Free Scan Today and take the first step toward reclaiming control of your personal data under Virginia privacy law.