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Practical privacy steps

Use California DROP to request broker data deletion

Eligible Californians can submit a single request and track broker-specific results. Read the scope and keep the request ID private.

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Conceptual illustration

Use the official state route

  1. Start at CalPrivacy's official how-to page and confirm California residency. Follow its identity-verification instructions. A Kentucky address alone does not establish eligibility. CalPrivacy: how DROP works
  2. Create the deletion request with the information you choose to provide. CalPrivacy describes mobile ad IDs, connected-TV IDs and VINs as optional; read the current instructions before adding them. CalPrivacy: how DROP works
  3. Review the information and submit through the state service. Save the DROP ID shown in the confirmation, and keep it private for later status checks. CalPrivacy: how DROP works

Read the status for each broker

CalPrivacy describes several outcomes, including deletion, exemptions, unmatched records and pending requests. These outcomes have different meanings. A request confirmation alone does not establish that every broker deleted every record. CalPrivacy: how DROP works

If verification or matching fails

The help page explains how to request an eligibility review after failed residency verification. It also explains that optional identifiers can improve matching; they are not required to submit a request. Use the official help route for the specific problem. CalPrivacy: DROP help and status issues

Questions and answers

Must I provide an advertising ID to submit?

CalPrivacy says these extra identifiers are optional. CalPrivacy: DROP help and status issues

Will this remove government public records?

CalPrivacy's guide excludes publicly available information and other exempt categories. Government-record access follows a separate process. CalPrivacy: how DROP works

Sources and scope

CalPrivacy documentation checked 10-23-2026. This guide does not perform residency verification, enter personal information, submit a deletion request or establish a broker's actual deletion outcome.

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