COMING UP. NOW BACK OVER TO YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. CALIFORNIA IS TAKING ANOTHER STEP TO STRENGTHEN ITS DIGITAL PRIVACY. STARTING TODAY, RESIDENTS CAN REQUEST TO MORE THAN 500 DIFFERENT DATA BROKERS TO DELETE YOUR ONLINE PERSONAL INFORMATION. KCRA 3’S JENSEN CORTEZ EXPLAINS WHAT IT ENTAILS AND HOW YOU CAN DO IT. STARTING JANUARY 1ST, 2026, CALIFORNIANS CAN REQUEST THAT THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION BE DELETED FROM ONLINE PLATFORMS. UNDER THE NEW DELETE REQUEST AND OPT OUT PLATFORM OR DROP, IT’S LAUNCHED BY THE CALIFORNIA PRIVACY PROTECTION AGENCY, AND IT’S AIMED TO MAKE IT EASY FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS TO DELETE PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED AND SOLD BY ONLINE DATA BROKERS. THIS INCLUDES THINGS LIKE PHONE NUMBERS, EMAIL ADDRESSES, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, AND MORE, WHERE DATA BROKERS COLLECT AND SELL THIS INFORMATION TO ADVERTISERS. SIMPLY TYPE PRIVACY DOT GOV BACKSLASH BACKSLASH. FROM THERE, YOU WILL VERIFY YOUR CALIFORNIA RESIDENT. AFTER, YOU WILL CREATE A DELETION REQUEST WITH NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, ZIP CODE AND PHONE NUMBER. DATA BROKERS WILL VERIFY YOUR INFORMATION WITH THEIR RECORDS AND IF SOMETHING POPS UP, IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE DELETED. DATA BROKERS WILL BEGIN PROCESSING REQUESTS THROUGH THE DROP PLATFORM IN
California launches new tool ‘DROP’ to help residents delete personal data online
Californians can now request online data deletion through the new state platform.
Updated: 7:19 PM PST Jan 1, 2026
California is launching a new tool designed to give residents more control over their personal data online.The system, known as the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform, or DROP, is operated by the California Privacy Protection Agency. The platform opens Jan. 1 and is intended to simplify what is often a complicated opt-out process by allowing residents to submit a request to remove information online from more than 500 data brokers at once.The state says the effort aims to reduce the amount of personal data circulating online and could help cut down on spam calls, texts, emails and scams. State leaders also say the platform could help reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud, though they caution the impact will not be immediate.Under the rules, data brokers are not required to begin processing deletion requests until August 2026. Once that requirement takes effect, brokers must check the D.R.O.P. system at least every 45 days to respond to requests. Data brokers that fail to comply could face fines of up to $200 per day, per violation.See how DROP works here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
California is launching a new tool designed to give residents more control over their personal data online.
The system, known as the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform, or DROP, is operated by the California Privacy Protection Agency. The platform opens Jan. 1 and is intended to simplify what is often a complicated opt-out process by allowing residents to submit a request to remove information online from more than 500 data brokers at once.
The state says the effort aims to reduce the amount of personal data circulating online and could help cut down on spam calls, texts, emails and scams.
State leaders also say the platform could help reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud, though they caution the impact will not be immediate.
Under the rules, data brokers are not required to begin processing deletion requests until August 2026.
Once that requirement takes effect, brokers must check the D.R.O.P. system at least every 45 days to respond to requests.
Data brokers that fail to comply could face fines of up to $200 per day, per violation.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel