Published: Dec 10, 2025
Next month, Californians will gain access to a first–of–its–kind privacy tool called the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform, or “DROP.” After years of planning and development it is finally ready to launch.
In October 2023, the California Delete Act became law. The act directed the California Privacy Protection Agency to build DROP. DROP is the first system in the nation that allows you to send a single deletion request to every registered data broker in California. With one action, you can ask more than 500 data brokers to delete the personal information they hold about you.
Beginning January 1, 2026, you will be able to access DROP and submit a deletion request. Data brokers will begin processing requests in late summer 2026.
Why DROP Matters
A data broker is a business that gathers and sells consumer information that a consumer didn’t give them directly. Data brokers may gather this information in a number of ways, including purchasing information from businesses you interact with. Some ways that businesses obtain your information include:
- Collecting it directly from consumers
- Scraping information from websites
- Using tracking technologies on internet-connected devices
Over time, data brokers may build detailed profiles about millions of people, who are often unaware that their information is being collected and sold.
When personal information is sold, it can continue to circulate among buyers, creating potentially significant privacy risks. Buyers may range from legal entities such as landlords and insurance companies, to malicious actors including fraudsters, hate groups, domestic abusers or even hostile foreign governments. While some of this data is used to provide you with personalized services such as targeted advertising, misuse of this data can lead to identity theft, stalking, or other harmful outcomes.
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, you can request that a business delete information it collected directly from you. DROP expands upon consumer deletion rights by making it possible for Californians to delete personal information held by data brokers, even though data brokers do not collect this information directly.
How DROP Works
Using DROP is straightforward. Beginning on January 1, you can:
- Visit Privacy.ca.gov
- Verify that you are a California resident
- Create your profile
- Submit your DROP request
- You can return to DROP at any time to check your deletion status or update your information.
DROP Timeline
Here is what to expect:
- January 1, 2026: You can sign up for DROP and submit your deletion requests.
- August 1, 2026: Data brokers begin processing deletion requests. They will process requests every 45 days.
Learn More About Protecting Your Privacy
We encourage you to stay informed about your privacy rights and the tools available to you. Sign up for our mailing lists and follow us on social media for the latest updates about DROP.
To learn more about protecting your personal information, visit CalPrivacy’s privacy tips page.
DROP represents a major step forward for consumer privacy. We look forward to helping Californians take control of their personal information in 2026 and beyond.