The City of Hidden Hills would like to share an important privacy resource now available to California residents. The State of California has launched the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP), a free online tool that gives residents greater control over their personal information collected, shared, and sold online by data brokers.

Data brokers are companies that gather personal details—such as names, home addresses, phone numbers, and other identifying information—and sell that data to advertisers or third parties. For residents of small, close-knit communities like Hidden Hills, limiting the public availability of personal information can be especially important for privacy and safety.

DROP allows residents to submit one single request to delete their personal data from hundreds of registered data brokers at once, rather than contacting each company individually. To use the platform, residents verify California residency and provide basic identifying information so requests can be properly processed.

Beginning August 1, 2026, registered data brokers will be required to regularly check the DROP system and comply with valid deletion requests. While information may not disappear immediately, DROP provides a streamlined and legally supported way to exercise your privacy rights under California law.

Reducing the circulation of personal data can help limit unwanted solicitations, targeted scams, and the public exposure of home addresses and contact information. The City encourages residents interested in protecting their digital privacy to learn more and consider submitting a request by visiting www.privacy.ca.gov/drop.

Staying informed and proactive is another way residents can help safeguard themselves and their community.