Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Bill Allowing Single Request to Erase Information
Californians now have the ability to take control of their personal information with a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday. The Delete Act, officially known as Senate Bill 362, empowers individuals to make a single request asking data brokers to delete their personal data.
Protecting Consumer Privacy
The Delete Act, set to take effect by January 2026, requires the California Privacy Protection Agency to develop a new tool for individuals to easily request the removal of their personal information. Data brokers, which collect and sell personal data like addresses, spending habits, and employment status, will be impacted by this law.
Currently, Californians have the right to request businesses to delete their personal information. However, this often requires multiple requests and can be challenging for consumers to determine which data brokers possess their data. With the Delete Act in place, it will become easier for individuals to protect their sensitive information.
Senator Josh Becker, author of SB 362, stated, “Data brokers possess thousands of data points on each and every one of us, and they currently sell reproductive healthcare, geolocation, and purchasing data to the highest bidder. The DELETE Act protects our most sensitive information.”
Enshrining California as a Leader in Consumer Privacy
Gov. Newsom’s signing of the bill solidifies California’s position as a leader in consumer privacy. The legislation aims to safeguard individuals’ personal data and enhance their control over it.
Business Concerns and Exemptions
While applauded by consumer advocates, the Delete Act faced opposition from businesses that rely on personal data for marketing, identity verification, and crime prevention. The Consumer Data Industry Association, representing consumer reporting agencies, expressed concerns that the law could have unintended consequences, such as undermining consumer fraud protections and harming small businesses’ competitiveness.
However, the law does provide some flexibility. Consumers have the option to exclude certain data brokers from their deletion request, and there are exemptions outlined in the bill.
With the Delete Act in place, Californians now have a powerful tool to protect their personal information and exercise greater control over their privacy.