Old Video Privacy Law Faces Streaming Era Test at Supreme Court

Streaming services track what you watch every day. That data is valuable. Companies use it for ads and recommendations. But a law from 1988 might limit how they share it. The Supreme Court is now looking at that law.

Back then, people rented VHS tapes from stores. A reporter found out what movies a Supreme Court nominee rented. That caused a big scandal. Congress quickly passed a law to protect rental records. It was called the Video Privacy Protection Act. Nobody imagined streaming back then.

Now the high court heard arguments about a modern case. It involves a company that sells streaming data. The question is whether the old law covers digital viewing habits. Lower courts disagree on the answer. Some say the law only applies to physical rentals. Others say it covers any video viewing data.

The justices seemed unsure how to apply the old text. They asked about user profiles and watch histories. They wondered if a subscriber counts as a customer under the law. The decision could change how tech companies handle viewing data. It might force them to get consent before sharing what you watch.

Business groups watch this closely. They say a broad reading would hurt innovation. Privacy advocates say the law must adapt. The ruling will likely come next year. It will set rules for the entire streaming industry.