January 4, 2026
Press F to Un‑Exist
California residents can now request all data brokers delete personal info
California drops a Delete‑Me button; cheers, confusion, and Cloudflare says you’re not human
TLDR: California launched DROP, a portal for residents to request data brokers delete their personal info. Comments split between “this was already law,” demands for a federal version, residency headaches, and jokes about Cloudflare blocking humans—highlighting both excitement and practical hurdles to reclaiming privacy.
California just launched DROP, a one‑stop portal to tell data brokers to delete your info. The crowd went wild… and then immediately split. One camp, led by derektank, asked, “Wasn’t this already the law?”—suggesting the real news is a state‑run button, not brand‑new rights. Another user, rl3, showed up like the class TA with receipts, linking the CCPA statute and reminding everyone this is the state putting muscle behind existing privacy rules.
Then the drama: to erase yourself, DROP asks you to prove you’re a California resident via California Identity Gateway or Login.gov, and share basics like your name and date of birth. Cue the meme: “Tell us more so we can forget you.” Some felt left out—one commenter owns a house in California but isn’t a resident, wishing the law covered them too. Others demanded a national version, with ungreased0675 calling for a federal “nuke my data” button. And the comedy write‑in? hellcow: “CloudFlare decided I’m not a person,” claiming the site blocked them—because even privacy portals have gatekeepers.
Practical note: data brokers must process deletion requests at least every 45 days starting August 1, 2026, so it won’t be instant. The vibe: cautious optimism, legal nerdery, and a strong chorus yelling, “Make this federal,” while the rest try to prove they’re real Californians—and, yes, actual humans.
Key Points
- •California’s DROP platform enables residents to request deletion and opt out of sale/sharing of personal information from registered data brokers.
- •Submitting a request consents to sharing personal information with data brokers to process deletion under California Civil Code sections 1798 and 1798.99.80 et seq.
- •Users must verify California residency via California Identity Gateway or Login.gov; review is available under Title 11 CCR §7622 if verification fails.
- •Data brokers must process deletion requests at least once every 45 days beginning August 1, 2026.
- •Use of DROP is governed by the Agency’s Privacy Policy; prohibited uses include fraud, impersonation, disruption, and commercial exploitation. Assisting another consumer requires authorization and compliance with 11 CCR §7001(d).