The short version
- Law: California's Delete Act (SB 362, 2023).
- Run by: the California Privacy Protection Agency, which calls itself CalPrivacy.
- Opened to consumers: January 1, 2026.
- Brokers started processing: August 1, 2026, re-checking at least every 45 days.
- Scale: more than 550,000 consumer sign-ups by early October 2026; 580+ brokers were registered as of mid-2026.
Why it exists
Before DROP, deleting your data meant finding each broker, locating its privacy form, and proving who you are, hundreds of times over. Most brokers aren't household names. The Delete Act moved that burden: brokers must register with the state, and they must check DROP's list and delete matching consumers on a fixed schedule.
What it doesn't do
DROP is a big step, but it has deliberate limits:
- It only serves California residents.
- It only reaches brokers on the California registry.
- Brokers can claim exemptions, notably for public-record data and data you gave a business directly.
- It doesn't target specific listings or give you evidence of removal.
Enforcement is also early. Stanford researchers found widespread gaps in brokers' compliance with the Delete Act's requirements, and formal audits aren't scheduled to begin until 2028.
Questions
Who can use DROP?
California residents. Residency is verified by the state.
Does DROP cost anything?
No. DROP is free and run by the California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy).
How long does DROP take?
Registered brokers began processing requests on August 1, 2026 and must pull the deletion list at least every 45 days, so allow roughly 45 days after you submit.
Does DROP remove me from people-search sites?
Only from those registered as data brokers in California, and only for data that isn't exempt. Public-record data may be exempt, and much of what people-search sites show comes from public records.
Can someone file DROP for me?
DROP's regulations allow an authorized agent once you've verified residency. The agent's name, email and trade name must be disclosed in your DROP account.
Ready to sign up? Follow our step-by-step DROP guide.