🇺🇸California Delete Act and Data Broker Requirements

Skin

← Back to laws in United States

California Delete Act and Data Broker Requirements

California Delete Act and Data Broker Requirements

This specialist state privacy law applies to a defined data type, business model or processing activity. It should be layered over any applicable comprehensive state and federal laws.

Current official version

Effective status: Current regulations effective January 1, 2026; DROP processing began August 1, 2026

Citation: Cal. Civ. Code ss. 1798.99.80 et seq.; Cal. Code Regs., Title 11, Division 6

Source basis: Current California Civil Code, effective CPPA Delete Act regulations and official CPPA DROP instructions.

Scope

The Delete Act applies to businesses meeting the California data broker definition by knowingly collecting and selling personal information of consumers with whom the business lacks a direct relationship, subject to statutory exclusions.

Operational obligations

Register annually through DROP, pay the current fee, make required disclosures, create and maintain a DROP account, access DROP at least once every 45 days beginning August 1, 2026, process matched deletion and opt-out requests, report status and keep data deleted unless an exception applies.

State-specific point

Data brokers operating in 2026 must follow current CPPA regulations and system instructions. Independent audits begin on the statutory schedule, and proposed audit regulations must not be treated as final until adopted.

Enforcement

The California Privacy Protection Agency administers and enforces the registry and Delete Act alongside other available statutory remedies and penalties.

What this means for you

Inventory the covered data and processing separately, obtain the exact notice, consent or authorization required, control vendors and disclosures, and retain evidence against the current official text.

Other laws in United States
CPPA

California Privacy Rights Act and California Privacy Protection Agency provisions

California Privacy Protection Agency

Open law Read analysis
CLOUD-ACT

Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act (CLOUD Act)

United States Department of Justice

Open law Read analysis
42-CFR-P2

Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights

Open law Read analysis
CAN-SPAM

Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act

Federal Trade Commission

Open law Read analysis
CPNI

Customer Proprietary Network Information Rules

Federal Communications Commission

Open law Read analysis
DPPA

Drivers Privacy Protection Act

United States Department of Justice and federal courts

Open law Read analysis
ECPA-SCA

Electronic Communications Privacy Act and Stored Communications Act

United States Department of Justice

Open law Read analysis
FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

U.S. Department of Education, Student Privacy Policy Office

Open law Read analysis
GINA

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and federal health agencies

Open law Read analysis
HITECH

Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights

Open law Read analysis
HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights

Open law Read analysis
IL-BIPA

Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act

Illinois Attorney General and private enforcement

Open law Read analysis
MT-CDPA

Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act

Montana Attorney General, Office of Consumer Protection

Open law Read analysis
NJDPA

New Jersey Data Privacy Law

New Jersey Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs

Open law Read analysis
PRIVACY-ACT

Privacy Act of 1974

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties

Open law Read analysis
RI-DTPPA

Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act

Rhode Island Attorney General

Open law Read analysis
UCPA

Utah Consumer Privacy Act

Utah Attorney General and Division of Consumer Protection

Open law Read analysis
VT-DPOSA

Vermont Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act

Vermont Attorney General

Open law Read analysis
VPPA

Video Privacy Protection Act

United States Department of Justice and federal courts

Open law Read analysis