California Privacy Protection Agency details Drop tool to request data-broker deletions; processing starts Aug. 2026
March 12, 2026 | California Privacy Protection Agency, Other State Agencies, Executive, California
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The California Privacy Protection Agency (Cal Privacy) said Drop is a "safe, easy to use tool" that lets California residents request that data brokers delete their personal information.
Cal Privacy explained why the tool matters and how to use it. Drop is available only to California residents; the agency said users can confirm residency through the California Identity Gateway — the state’s secure digital identity platform — or by signing in with an existing login.gov account. "This information is only used to verify that you are a California resident and will not be stored," the agency said.
After verification, users are redirected back to Drop and asked to create a profile with basic details — name, date of birth, ZIP code and contact information — that the system uses to find and match records held by data brokers. Cal Privacy said the details entered are hashed, meaning the data are scrambled into a code that others cannot read.
The agency advised that providing more identifiers can increase the chances brokers will find and delete matching records. Acceptable inputs include multiple emails or phone numbers, additional names used previously, and optional identifiers such as vehicle identification numbers or device-associated IDs. "Different data brokers track you based on different information about you. Providing more information can increase the chances that more data brokers will delete your data," Cal Privacy said.
When a user submits a request, the system issues a Drop ID, which the agency said users should save to check request status later. Cal Privacy warned that data brokers process one request at a time and may take up to three months to process each new request. "Drop is a new service and data brokers are still getting on board. Request processing will begin in August of 2026," the agency said.
Cal Privacy closed by urging residents to visit privacy.ca.gov/drop for more information and to begin the process.
The agency said the Drop service is an administrative tool for consumer requests; it did not announce new rulemaking, legislative changes or enforcement actions in this statement. The agency directed users to its website for updates on broker participation and processing timelines.
Cal Privacy explained why the tool matters and how to use it. Drop is available only to California residents; the agency said users can confirm residency through the California Identity Gateway — the state’s secure digital identity platform — or by signing in with an existing login.gov account. "This information is only used to verify that you are a California resident and will not be stored," the agency said.
After verification, users are redirected back to Drop and asked to create a profile with basic details — name, date of birth, ZIP code and contact information — that the system uses to find and match records held by data brokers. Cal Privacy said the details entered are hashed, meaning the data are scrambled into a code that others cannot read.
The agency advised that providing more identifiers can increase the chances brokers will find and delete matching records. Acceptable inputs include multiple emails or phone numbers, additional names used previously, and optional identifiers such as vehicle identification numbers or device-associated IDs. "Different data brokers track you based on different information about you. Providing more information can increase the chances that more data brokers will delete your data," Cal Privacy said.
When a user submits a request, the system issues a Drop ID, which the agency said users should save to check request status later. Cal Privacy warned that data brokers process one request at a time and may take up to three months to process each new request. "Drop is a new service and data brokers are still getting on board. Request processing will begin in August of 2026," the agency said.
Cal Privacy closed by urging residents to visit privacy.ca.gov/drop for more information and to begin the process.
The agency said the Drop service is an administrative tool for consumer requests; it did not announce new rulemaking, legislative changes or enforcement actions in this statement. The agency directed users to its website for updates on broker participation and processing timelines.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
