Protect Your Privacy with California's Drop Tool
6 hours ago
- DROP (Delete Request and Opt-out Platform) is a California tool allowing residents to send a single request to all registered data brokers to delete their information and opt out of its sale.
- After August 1, data brokers have 45 days to comply with DROP requests, but filing now positions users early for the compliance deadline.
- The Delete Act, supported by EFF, created DROP to simplify the tedious process of making individual privacy requests to numerous data brokers.
- Benefits of using DROP include reduced spam, improved cybersecurity by limiting data exposure, and greater control over personal information, preventing sales to predatory entities.
- DROP requests typically cover identifying info (e.g., SSN, browsing history, email) and inferences, but exclude public records like vehicle or real estate ownership.
- Users can exclude specific brokers from requests and need to provide personal info for verification, though the agency pledges not to sell or share it.
- Opt-out requests last indefinitely, but new data brokers or ongoing collection by unregistered companies (e.g., Google) necessitate periodic re-filing, such as during Opt-Out October.
- Non-California residents can use EFF's Opt-Out October guide to enhance online privacy and limit data harvesting.