Supreme Court Weighs Video Privacy Law

What happened

The Supreme Court heard arguments in Michael Salazar’s case against Paramount Global over whether the Video Privacy Protection Act covers online video-viewing data shared for targeted advertising. Congress passed the VPPA in 1988 after a journalist published Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork’s video-rental history. The dispute is whether it protects anyone subscribing to a product or service from a video provider, as Salazar argues, or only subscribers to audiovisual offerings, as Paramount argues. Salazar says he subscribed to Paramount-owned 247Sports.com’s newsletter, watched videos while logged into Facebook, and had data sent to Meta without consent. A decision is expected by term’s end.

How each side covered it

From the left

Left-leaning outlets framed the case as a test of adapting an older privacy law to streaming, newsletters, and targeted advertising. The New York Times emphasized who qualifies for protection, stressing that the issue reaches across online consumers and companies. The Boston Globe cited critics who see the law as a relic that plaintiffs’ lawyers are trying to exploit.

From the right

Right-leaning outlets stressed doubts about fitting a VHS-era statute to modern digital services and online advertising. The Daily Signal highlighted skepticism over whether the 1988 law’s older language fits today’s technology. The Center Square cited justices warning that an expansive reading could bring large civil penalties against streaming providers and other businesses.

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Supreme Court Weighs Video Privacy Law

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What happened

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