Video Privacy Protection Act of 1988

Congress passed the Video Privacy Protection Act in response to controversy surrounding the release of Judge Robert Bork's video rental records during his failed Supreme Court nomination. The Act prohibits video tape service providers from disclosing customer rental records without the informed, written consent of the consumer. Furthermore, the Act requires video service providers to destroy personally identifiable customer information within a year of the date it is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected. The Act contains several exceptions and limitations.