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California has launched a new digital platform that allows residents to submit a single, unified request to have their personal data deleted by data brokers, in a move aimed at strengthening digital privacy protections and simplifying the exercise of consumers’ legal rights.

After verifying residency within the state, users can file one request that is automatically forwarded to all currently registered data brokers, as well as any that register in the future—replacing the previous system that required contacting each company individually.

The launch of the platform comes as part of the implementation of a law passed in 2023, which obliges hundreds of data brokers to delete personal information upon request. Enforcement of deletion requests is set to begin in August 2026, with brokers granted up to 90 days to process requests and notify users of the outcome.

If data cannot be located or deleted, the platform allows users to submit additional details to help precisely identify their records. The deletion requirement applies only to data brokers that buy or sell personal information and does not cover companies that collect data directly from users.

Data Subject to Deletion

The data eligible for deletion includes sensitive information such as phone numbers, email addresses, and browsing history. Certain data derived from public records—such as vehicle registration information and voter records—are excluded, while medical records remain subject to separate laws governing their protection.

Privacy advocates said the new tool is expected to reduce unwanted calls and messages, lower the risks of identity theft and fraud, and limit the misuse of personal data through artificial intelligence technologies, data leaks, or cyber breaches.

Data brokers that fail to register or refuse to comply with deletion requests face fines of up to $200 per day, in addition to enforcement costs, as authorities tighten oversight of the personal data trading market