California Launches Free Tool to Help Residents Opt Out of Data Brokers
The Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) allows consumers to submit a single request to delete their personal information from more than 500 registered data brokers operating in the state.
The state of California has introduced a new free platform designed to make it easier for residents to reclaim their digital privacy by opting out of data broker databases.
The Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) allows consumers to submit a single request to delete their personal information from more than 500 registered data brokers operating in the state.
According to the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA), the tool is the first of its kind and significantly simplifies a process that previously required individuals to contact dozens—or even hundreds—of data brokers individually.
These companies legally collect and sell personal information, often sourced from public records but sometimes involving more sensitive data, to third parties such as people-search websites and background check services.
The platform stems from the Delete Act, passed in 2023, which mandated the creation of a centralized, user-friendly opt-out tool by January 1, 2026. “After years of planning and development, it is finally ready to launch,” the CPPA said in a blog post last month.
Under the law, all 543 registered data brokers in California must begin honoring deletion requests submitted through DROP by August 1.
State officials hope the tool will help curb spam, robocalls, identity theft, and fraud. While several paid services already offer data-removal assistance, DROP provides a no-cost alternative for consumers.
