Virginia Privacy Law Breach

Summary

The unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, including Social Security numbers, by a town council in Virginia may violate several laws. These include the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA), Virginia Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA), and federal laws like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and the Privacy Act of 1974. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) also includes provisions for protecting personal information. Under PIPA, personal information includes any data that describes or identifies an individual, such as a Social Security number. Individuals can report the incident, request corrections, or file a complaint with the Virginia Attorney Generals Office. For more details, visit the Virginia Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA) link provided.

Full Conversation

A town manager sent this information out unredacted as part of an agenda email list
Thank you for the details. In Virginia, the following laws apply to the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information by government entities:
- **Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)**: Includes provisions for protecting personal information.
- **Virginia Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA)**: Governs the collection and dissemination of personal information.
Would you like to know the steps to address this issue or potential remedies?
how could the virginia personal information privacy act apply
The Virginia Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA) regulates the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of personal information by government entities. Here's how it may apply:
- **Collection and Maintenance**: Limits on what personal information can be collected and how it must be stored.
- **Disclosure Restrictions**: Prohibits the unauthorized dissemination of personal information.
- **Rights of Individuals**: Individuals can request corrections of inaccurate information.
Would you like to know the specific steps to address this issue under PIPA?
how is "personal information" defined
In Virginia, under the Virginia Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA), "personal information" is defined as:
- Any information that describes, locates, or indexes an individual, including name, social security number, driver's license number, and financial information.
- Information that is used to identify or contact an individual.
Would you like more details on how to proceed with addressing this issue under PIPA?
do you have a link to virginia personal information privacy
Sure, here is the link to the Virginia Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA):
[Virginia Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA)](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title2.*/chapter38/)
Would you like guidance on how to proceed with addressing this issue under PIPA?
what is able now
It seems like you are asking about the current actions you can take regarding the unauthorized disclosure of personal information. Here are some steps you can consider:
- **Report the Incident**: Notify the relevant authority within the town council about the breach.
- **Request a Correction**: Ask for the correction or removal of the disclosed information.
- **File a Complaint**: You can file a complaint with the Virginia Attorney General's Office.
Would you like more specific guidance on any of these steps?
what is the "Able Now" program
The ABLEnow program in Virginia allows individuals with disabilities to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain public benefits. Here are some key points:
- **Eligibility**: Individuals with disabilities that began before age *.
- **Tax Benefits**: Earnings grow tax-free, and contributions may be tax-deductible.
- **Use of Funds**: Can be used for qualified disability expenses.
Would you like more details on eligibility or how to open an ABLEnow account?
Yes in laymans terms please
Sure, here's a simplified explanation of the ABLEnow program in Virginia:
- **Who Can Use It**: People with disabilities that started before they turned *.
- **Tax Benefits**: Money in the account grows without being taxed, and contributions might reduce your taxes.
- **Spending the Money**: You can use it for disability-related expenses like medical care, housing, and education.
Would you like more information on how to open an account or what expenses are covered?
yes
Sure, here's how you can open an ABLEnow account and what expenses are covered:
Opening an ABLEnow Account:
*. **Visit the ABLEnow Website**: Go to [ablenow.com](https://www.ablenow.com).
*. **Eligibility Check**: Ensure the disability began before age *.
*. **Apply Online**: Follow the steps to create an account, providing necessary information.
Covered Expenses:
- **Medical Care**: Doctor visits, therapies, and medications.
- **Housing**: Rent, utilities, and home improvements for accessibility.
- **Education**: Tuition, books, and training.
- **Other**: Transportation, legal fees, and assistive technology.
Would you like more details on any specific expenses or the application process?
how old do I need to be in order to open this
To open an ABLEnow account in Virginia, you need to meet the following age-related criteria:
- **Disability Onset**: The disability must have started before age *.
Would you like more information on the eligibility criteria or the application process?
can I open an account if I am *
Yes, you can open an ABLEnow account if you are *, provided your disability began before you turned *.
Would you like information on how to proceed with the application?
yes
Sure, here’s how you can proceed with the application for an ABLEnow account:
Opening an ABLEnow Account:
*. **Visit the ABLEnow Website**: Go to [ablenow.com](https://www.ablenow.com).
*. **Eligibility Check**: Confirm that your disability began before age *.
*. **Apply Online**: Follow the steps on the website to create an account, providing necessary personal and financial information.
Covered Expenses:
- **Medical Care**: Doctor visits, therapies, and medications.
- **Housing**: Rent, utilities, and home improvements for accessibility.
- **Education**: Tuition, books, and training.
- **Other**: Transportation, legal fees, and assistive technology.
Would you like more details on any specific expenses or steps in the application process?
can I accept donated monies into this account to use toward a wheelchair accessible vehicle purchase?
Yes, you can accept donated monies into an ABLEnow account. The funds can be used towards purchasing a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, as this qualifies as a transportation-related expense.
Would you like more information on how to accept donations or any specific rules about using these funds?
yes
To accept donated monies into an ABLEnow account and use them toward a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, follow these steps:
Accepting Donations:
*. **Provide Account Details**: Share your ABLEnow account information with donors, or use the ABLEnow gifting page link.
*. **Contributions**: Donors can contribute directly to your account online.
Using Funds:
*. **Qualified Expense**: Ensure the vehicle purchase qualifies as a transportation-related expense.
Would you like more details on the process of accepting donations or using the funds for the vehicle purchase?
accepting donations
To accept donations into your ABLEnow account for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, follow these steps:
Accepting Donations:
*. **Share Account Details**: Provide your ABLEnow account information to potential donors.
*. **Gifting Page**: Use the ABLEnow gifting page link to facilitate online donations.
Using Funds:
*. **Qualified Expense**: Ensure that the vehicle purchase is a transportation-related expense.
Would you like more details on how to create a gifting page or any specific rules about using these funds?
do you have a link to the gifting page
Sure, here's the link to the ABLEnow gifting page where donors can contribute directly to your account:
[ABLEnow Gifting Page](https://www.ablenow.com/gifting/)
Would you like more details on how to set up your gifting page or any specific rules about using the funds?