Data Brokers Are Hiding Their Opt-Out Pages from Google Search
12 days ago
- #consumer rights
- #California law
- #data privacy
- California law requires data brokers to provide ways for consumers to request data deletion, but many hide these instructions from search engines.
- Over 30 data brokers used code to exclude deletion pages from Google and Bing search results, making it hard for consumers to find them.
- The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) mandates data brokers to register and comply with privacy requests, but enforcement is challenging.
- Some companies removed exclusionary code after being contacted, while others claimed it was an oversight or intentional to avoid spam.
- Consumers face hurdles like hidden links, complex navigation, and non-existent pages when trying to delete their data.
- The California Privacy Protection Agency has taken action against companies for making privacy choices difficult, including fines for violations.
- The Delete Act will introduce a system (DROP) for Californians to send a single deletion request to all registered data brokers starting next year.