A new program will allow Californians to delete their personal information from data brokers.
Following the 2023 Delete Act, the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (also known as DROP) mandates that data brokers across the state will remove their collected data of Californians – upon your request. The program is open to all state residents as of January 1, 2026.
The free process hopes to give Californians more control over their data, increased security against identity theft and fraud, and experience less spam and scam calls, texts, and emails.
How does DROP work?
According to Cal Matters, Californians can sign into the government-operated website and opt in to make data brokers delete their information, stop tracking them, and stop selling their private information.
For a general sweep, you’ll have to provide your name, email address, phone number, and zip code for the registered data brokers to find you in their systems.
For a more thorough deletion, you can also provide mobile advertising IDs from cell phones, smart televisions, and even vehicles. Learn how to find that information here.
How long will the process take?
Once the process is completed, the system will then deliver your privacy instructions to all registered brokers. Requests will begin processing in August. Companies will then have 45 days to process requests and 90 days to report back on the requests’ status. If they fail to follow through, the companies could face financial penalties or fees.
So be sure to hold onto your DROP ID, as you’ll eventually be able to monitor the status of your request here. Once the claims are processed, the system is supposed to tell you whether your data was successfully deleted, which records were found, and even if companies believed the data was exempt from deletion under the law.