California DROP: A Simple Way to Reclaim Your Digital Privacy
- AnewVista Staff
- Apr 5
- 2 min read
If you live in California, you now have a powerful new tool to protect your personal information. The Delete Act, passed in 2023, led to the creation of the California Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP). This official state website allows you to tell hundreds of data brokers to delete your personal information—all at once, and for free.
Why Should You Use the DROP Platform?
Data brokers are companies that collect, package, and sell your personal details—everything from your home address and purchase history to your health interests. This data isn't just used for advertising; it can also be used for surveillance or by scammers to create more convincing "phishing" attacks.
Before this platform, you would have had to contact every single broker individually. Now, you can manage your digital footprint in one place.
Highlights of the California DROP Platform
One-Stop Request: You submit one request, and the platform sends it to all registered data brokers in California.
Completely Free: There is no charge for California residents to use this official government service.
Verified Security: The system uses secure verification (like Login.gov, used for Social Security or Medicare) to ensure your data stays protected during the process.
Ongoing Protection: Once you submit your request, data brokers are required to delete your information and continue to do so every 45 days.
How to Get Started
Getting started is straightforward, but you should have a few things ready before you begin:
Verify Your Identity: You will need to prove you are a California resident. You can use your Login.gov account or a valid California Driver’s License/ID.
Accept Terms: Visit the official CalPrivacy website and accept the terms and conditions.
Submit Your Info: You’ll be asked for basic details like your name, date of birth, and email. The system will verify your phone number via a one-time passcode (OTP).
Save Your DROP ID: After submitting, you will receive a unique DROP ID. Keep this number—you’ll need it to check the status of your deletion requests later.
Want a Walkthrough?
While the platform is designed to be accessible, navigating government verification steps can be tricky. At AnewVista Community Services, we host workshops to walk you through this process step-by-step in a frustration-free environment.
Watch our class on DROP Platform:
Visit www.anvcs.org to join our next tech-talk.
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