What You Need to Know About California's DROP Tool
California residents can use the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) to request that all registered data brokers delete their personal information and stop selling or sharing it.
A single DROP request currently reaches 614 registered data brokers.
Data brokers have until August 1, 2026, to begin complying with requests, after which they have 45 days to address each request.
The tool is administered by the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA).
Benefits and Scope
Filing a request helps reduce unwanted spam, minimizes the number of entities holding personal data to improve cybersecurity, and increases control over how private information is used.
The platform covers identifying information, such as Social Security numbers, geolocation, browsing history, and inferred data like political views or health assessments.
Public records, such as vehicle or real estate ownership, are generally not subject to deletion.
How to Use the System
Visit the CPPA DROP website to file a request; applicants should have identifiers like an advertising ID or VIN ready for submission.
Applicants must provide personal details for identity verification, which the agency is legally restricted from selling or sharing.
Users receive a DROP ID to track their request status.
Requests can be filed on behalf of others, provided the filer attests to their residency.
Important Caveats
The system does not stop companies from collecting new information in the future, meaning periodic updates to the request are advisable.
DROP does not apply to non-data-broker companies like Google.
The tool is currently restricted to California residents, though other states are monitoring the program for potential legislative adoption.