U.S. Supreme Court to rule on video privacy law application

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Salazar v. Paramount Global, a case that will determine the scope of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) in the digital age. Originally passed in 1988 to prevent video rental stores from disclosing customer rental histories, the law is now being used to target modern websites, including news outlets, retailers, and sports sites.

At the center of the dispute is whether the law applies only to users of video-specific services or to anyone who uses a website that features video content alongside standard advertising and tracking tools, such as those provided by Meta. The case originated after Michael Salazar signed up for a newsletter from 247Sports.com, a site owned by Paramount Global.

Legal experts note that approximately 200 lawsuits are filed annually under the VPPA. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on October 14, 2026, with a decision that could significantly impact how businesses manage online video and data tracking.