California Delete Act
Not in California? Here's your equivalent
Last updated: July 22, 2026
California's DROP is the only one-stop, government-run data-deletion tool in the country, and only California residents can use it. But you are not without options. As of 2026, about 20 states have comprehensive privacy laws granting a right to delete or opt out of the sale of your data - you just exercise those rights company-by-company instead of through a single portal.
State privacy rights (a sample)
These are some of the states with active deletion and opt-out rights. Specifics and effective dates vary, so check your own state's law:
| State | Your rights | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (VCDPA) | Delete personal data; opt out of sale and targeted advertising | Business-by-business requests, no central tool. |
| Colorado (CPA) | Delete; opt out of sale and targeted ads | Honors browser universal opt-out signals. |
| Connecticut (CTDPA) | Delete; opt out of sale and targeted advertising | Also honors universal opt-out signals. |
| Texas (TDPSA) | Delete; opt out of sale | Texas also requires data brokers to register, but has no central delete tool. |
| Oregon (OCPA) | Delete; opt out; brokers must register | Lets you request the specific list of third parties that received your data. |
Other states with comprehensive laws in effect include Utah, Montana, Iowa, Delaware, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, Tennessee, and more - roughly 20 in all, with additional laws enacted but not yet in force.
Options that work anywhere
- Opt out at each broker directly. Our opt-out guides walk through the major people-search sites step by step - free, and available in every state.
- Turn on Global Privacy Control (GPC). This browser signal tells sites not to sell or share your data, and several state laws require businesses to honor it.
- Use a paid removal service. Optery, DeleteMe, Incogni, and similar tools work nationwide and cover hundreds of sites for a monthly fee. See DROP vs paid removal.
- Exercise your state rights directly. If your state has a comprehensive privacy law, you can send delete and do-not-sell requests to individual companies.
There is no comprehensive federal data-broker opt-out right yet, so until there is, the practical path outside California is per-site opt-outs plus, if you want it handled for you, a paid service.