SACRAMENTO — California has launched the nation’s first online tool that allows residents to stop data brokers—companies that collect and sell personal details—from distributing their information further.
The service, known as the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP), aims to simplify privacy protections by providing a single, centralized system for residents. The platform officially became available on January 1, 2026, and was formally announced by Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) on January 20. The DROP system eliminates the need for residents to contact individual data brokers to protect their information.
Legislation and Purpose
Senate Bill 362, also known as the Delete Act, created the DROP platform. Senator Josh Becker wrote the law, which Governor Newsom signed in 2023.
According to Senator Becker, the Act was designed to provide residents with real control over their personal information while offering a defense against identity theft, scams, and spam emails. The CPPA worked with the state’s technology department to build the system. State officials said the tool is intended to protect citizens from fraud by giving them a direct way to manage how their data is shared and sold.
Timeline for Compliance
While the platform is currently live, data brokers registered with the state have time to prepare for the high number of requests. According to the Governor’s office, these brokers are legally required to begin processing deletion requests received via the DROP platform no later than August 1, 2026.
Public interest in the tool has been high since its launch at the start of the year. More than 155,000 California residents have already used the platform to manage their personal data. Residents interested in using the service can access it through the state’s official privacy website https://privacy.ca.gov/drop/.
