California has launched a one-click tool allowing residents to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal data with all registered businesses at once. The Markup asks Californians to test the tool and report whether it works effectively, aiming to verify the new system's functionality.
Background
- The article is about the California Delete Act (SB 362), a 2025 law that lets Californians request all registered data brokers delete their personal information with a single submission via a state-run website.
- Data brokers are companies that collect, buy, and sell personal data (e.g., addresses, browsing history, purchase records) without directly interacting with consumers. Major examples include Acxiom, Oracle Data Cloud, and Epsilon.
- The Delete Act gives people a one-click "opt-out of everything" tool, replacing the previous system where users had to contact each broker individually.
- The article also highlights potential shortcomings: compliance loopholes, exemptions for certain types of brokers, and whether the system actually works as intended. The Markup is asking readers to help test it.