Privacy Momentum Builds: 300,000+ Californians Sign Up for DROP as Registered Data Brokers Hit a Record High

June 2, 2026

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Privacy Protection Agency’s (CalPrivacy) Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) hit a major milestone with more than 300,000 Californians signing up for the free tool since its launch just five months ago. This free, first-of-its-kind platform gives Californians a practical and secure way to reduce their digital footprint and better protect their personal information. 

DROP allows Californians to request the deletion of their personal information from more than 580 data brokers in minutes. A data broker is a business that gathers and sells consumer information that the consumer didn’t give them directly. This can include Social Security numbers, precise geolocation, browsing history, and more. Submitting a DROP request is a simple way to exercise control of your personal information and may help reduce the likelihood of your information being shared or sold for spam calls, fraud, and more. DROP is free to all Californians. 

“DROP makes it easier than ever for Californians to have real control over their personal information,” said Tom Kemp, Executive Director of CalPrivacy. “We built DROP to make data deletion simple, accessible, secure, and effective for everyone in our state. Seeing over 300,000 people sign up in just a few months shows how strongly Californians value their privacy.” 

Beginning August 1, all data brokers will be required to access DROP and begin processing deletion requests. With just 60 days before processing begins, CalPrivacy encourages Californians to take just a few minutes and register in DROP. Once individuals confirm that they are a California resident and provide the required personal information, no additional documents or steps are needed. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish and can be completed on either a computer or a smartphone, making it quick and convenient for anyone. Data brokers will not only delete information they have on the consumer, but also any additional information they may acquire on that person moving forward.  

CalPrivacy has published a video on how to use DROP along with an online toolkit with resources in eight languages that individuals and organizations can use to help spread the word. The agency also provides step-by-step guidance on locating your mobile advertising ID (MAID) which can improve deletion accuracy. In addition, CalPrivacy gives presentations to community organizations to help residents sign up for DROP and to educate consumers on ways they can better protect their privacy. You can contact CalPrivacy to request a presentation. 

The agency also issued recent updates to the Data Broker Registry, featuring intuitive navigation and advanced filtering to improve transparency for consumers. The Data Broker Registry now includes 581 registered data brokers, the highest number of registrants since the registry was established in 2020. 

“DROP represents a new standard for what government digital services can accomplish,” said Marissa Rosemblat, Assistant Deputy Director of the Delete Act. “A platform that is technically sophisticated, operationally scalable and designed from the ground up around the people it serves. Every Californian deserves privacy protection that works for them.” 

About Us

The California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy) is committed to promoting the education and awareness of consumers’ privacy rights and businesses’ responsibilities under the California Consumer Privacy Act, Delete Act, and Opt Me Out Act.

Consumers can visit Privacy.ca.gov to access helpful and up-to-date information and tips on how to exercise their rights, protect their personal information, and learn about the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP). In addition, CalPrivacy’s website provides important information about Board Meetings, announcements, and the rulemaking process.