California DROP and Data Broker Opt-Outs

What DROP is

DROP is California's centralized deletion mechanism for registered data brokers. The goal is to give eligible California residents a single route to request deletion from participating brokers instead of repeating the same request on every site. It matters because data broker records often spread across many companies, and a centralized request can reduce some of that repeated work.

DROP does not make every privacy problem disappear. It applies through California's data broker framework, and users still need to understand which brokers are covered, when obligations apply, and what to do about people-search pages that require separate direct opt-outs.

What DROP does not replace

Manual opt-out guides still matter because many people-search pages show public profile listings, confirmation forms, CAPTCHA checks, or email verification steps outside a single central request. A user may also want faster removal from high-visibility sites while waiting for broader regulatory processes to apply.

• Use manual opt-outs for urgent address or phone exposure.
• Keep records of which broker pages still show your profile.
• Do not assume a state-level process removes every copy immediately.

What to watch

• Eligibility and residency requirements for the deletion mechanism.
• Which companies are registered as data brokers and covered by the rule.
• When deletion obligations begin and how often brokers must process requests.
• Whether a broker still shows a public people-search page after a broader deletion request.
• How the California Privacy Protection Agency updates guidance, enforcement, and timelines.

How to use this guide alongside DROP

If you are eligible for a centralized deletion request, treat it as one layer of the privacy cleanup process. Use this site's directory to remove the most visible profiles manually, then use a recurring reminder to check whether those profiles return. Keep notes about broker names, profile URLs, request dates, and confirmation emails so you can compare manual removals with any broader deletion workflow.

Official sources

Start with the California Privacy Protection Agency and the California data broker registry for current rules. This page is a plain-English orientation only, not legal advice, and should not be used as a substitute for official guidance.