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Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP)
What it is
Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) is a free web service from CalPrivacy, the California Privacy Protection Agency. It lets California residents ask data brokers to delete personal information and stop selling or sharing it. One submission can reach over 600 registered data brokers. A request starts with a name, date of birth, and ZIP code, while mobile advertising IDs, connected TV IDs, vehicle identification numbers, and other details can be added later. After initial processing, brokers must check for new matching information and delete it at least every 45 days, then report processing within up to 90 days. DROP says submitted information is used only for request processing and stored in unreadable hashed form. Residency checks use the California Identity Gateway, and DROP says it does not retain those verification details. Users can update profiles every 45 days. The service does not cover information supplied directly to businesses, public information, or legally exempt information.
For and against
For
- Free plan with no listed charge
- One request reaches over 600 brokers
- Brokers re-check at least every 45 days
- Optional identifiers can be added later
- Web-based automated request handling
Against
- Only California residents can submit
- Some information is excluded from deletion
- Brokers have up to 90 days to report
- Profile updates limited to every 45 days
The verdict
DROP combines broad broker coverage with recurring checks at no cost. Its eligibility and coverage limits matter when deciding whether it addresses your information sources.
Who it suits
DROP suits California residents seeking one request for many registered data brokers. It is for people who want recurring checks and deletion requests handled through the web.
Plans and prices
Free
For California residents · one request can reach over 600 registered data brokers
Read 9 Oct 2026 · privacy.ca.gov
On the record
- Coverage
- One request can be sent to over 600 registered data brokers.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Coverage limits
- DROP does not require brokers to delete information users gave directly to a business, publicly available information, or legally exempt information.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Eligibility
- Only California residents qualify to submit a request.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Identity verification
- California residency verification is handled through the California Identity Gateway, and DROP says it does not retain the information used for that verification.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maker
- CalPrivacy is the California Privacy Protection Agency, created in 2020 to protect California consumers’ privacy rights.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Ongoing requests
- After initial processing, data brokers must re-check and delete new matching information at least every 45 days.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Optional identifiers
- Users may add mobile advertising IDs, connected TV IDs, and vehicle identification numbers, but these are not required.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- DROP says it uses submitted information only to process requests and stores it in a secure, unreadable format using hashing.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Processing time
- Data brokers have up to 90 days to report how they processed a request.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DROP lets users ask data brokers to delete their personal information and stop selling or sharing it.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Required details
- A request can be submitted with a name, date of birth, and ZIP code, and users can add more information later.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- CalPrivacy says it aims to respond to DROP contact form messages in approximately two weeks.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
- Updates
- Users can update their profile and add information once every 45 days.privacy.ca.gov · read 9 Oct 2026
