A significant development in data privacy has emerged as California introduces the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform, or DROP, which became operational on January 1. This innovative tool enables residents to efficiently request the deletion of their personal information from data brokers.
The California Privacy Protection Agency, known as CalPrivacy, highlighted the platform as a pioneering effort to impose stricter regulations on businesses that sell personal data not directly provided by consumers. To utilize DROP, individuals must first verify their California residency, allowing them to send a single deletion request to all registered data brokers within the state.
In addition to processing these requests, data brokers are now obligated to register annually and disclose the types of information they collect and share. Regular audits will ensure compliance, with penalties for those who fail to adhere to these new requirements. Starting August 1, 2026, data brokers will begin handling deletion requests initiated through DROP, marking a significant step toward enhancing consumer data protection.