What DROP is
The Delete Request and Opt-out Platform is a CalPrivacy service for eligible California residents. It offers a single deletion request to registered data brokers. It is not a request to every website, employer, or company you have ever used.
Start at the official website
- Visit privacy.ca.gov/drop rather than a paid advertisement.
- Review eligibility and the current instructions.
- Complete the state’s eligibility verification.
- Provide the identifiers you choose to use for matching.
- Save your submission confirmation and check the status through the official platform.
Deletion is not instantaneous
CalPrivacy says brokers began processing requests on August 1, 2026, with access to DROP at least every 45 days. Status changes can take up to 90 days. Exceptions and matching issues matter, so a slow or partial response needs context before you draw a conclusion.
Know the limits
Do not assume that a deletion request removes public records, all exempt information, or copies held by unrelated services. Read the state’s current explanation of what the platform covers. If a business you use directly is your concern, its own privacy request process may be the right starting point.
Go to the source
Official resources for the facts discussed here. Checked October 5, 2026.