California Data Privacy Rights: How to Remove Your Data Under CCPA/CPRA

California has established itself as the gold standard for consumer data privacy in the United States. With the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its successor, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), residents now have powerful legal tools to control their personal information. If you're concerned about your data being collected, sold, or misused by data brokers and corporations, this comprehensive guide will walk you through your California privacy rights and how to exercise them effectively.

Overview of Privacy Laws in California

California's approach to data privacy has fundamentally changed how companies handle consumer information. The state has created a regulatory framework that gives residents unprecedented control over their personal data.

The CCPA: Foundation for Consumer Privacy

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) went into effect on January 1, 2020, establishing baseline privacy protections for California residents. It was one of the first comprehensive state privacy laws in the nation, predating similar legislation in other states by years.

The CCPA applies to for-profit businesses that:

Collect personal information from California residents
Have annual gross revenues exceeding $25 million, OR
Buy, receive, or sell personal information of 100,000 or more California residents or households, OR
Derive 50% or more of their revenue from selling or sharing consumers' personal information

The CPRA: Enhanced Protection and Enforcement

The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), approved by voters in 2020, significantly expanded consumer protections and went into effect on January 1, 2023. The CPRA builds upon the CCPA by:

Creating the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) as a dedicated enforcement body
Expanding the definition of personal information
Strengthening consumer rights around sensitive personal information
Introducing new rights like the right to correct inaccurate data
Establishing stricter requirements for data brokers and service providers

California Data Broker Law

California's data broker law (Civil Code Section 1798.100 et seq.) specifically targets companies whose primary business is collecting and selling consumer data. Data brokers must now:

Register with the California Attorney General
Maintain a "do not sell or share my personal information" list
Provide consumers with access to their collected data
Honor deletion requests within 45 days
Implement reasonable security measures

Your Specific Rights Under California Privacy Laws

Understanding your rights is the first step toward protecting your privacy. California law grants you several powerful consumer rights that you can exercise at any time.

The Right to Know

You have the right to request what personal information a business has collected about you. This includes:

Categories of personal information collected
Sources of that information
Business purposes for collection
Categories of third parties with whom data is shared

Data brokers must respond to these requests within 45 days, and you can make these requests twice per calendar year at no cost.

The Right to Delete

Perhaps the most powerful right under California privacy law is the right to deletion. You can request that businesses delete personal information they've collected about you, with certain exceptions for legally required retention.

Under the CPRA, this right has been strengthened, and data brokers face stricter compliance requirements. When you request deletion, the business must:

Delete your information within 45 days
Instruct service providers to delete your data
Confirm deletion in writing

The Right to Correct

The CPRA introduced the right to correct inaccurate personal information. If a data broker or business has incorrect information about you, you can request corrections. This is particularly important because inaccurate data can affect credit scores, employment opportunities, and insurance rates.

The Right to Opt-Out

You have the right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of your personal information. Under the CPRA, "sharing" includes disclosure for cross-context behavioral advertising. You can:

Submit opt-out requests directly to businesses
Use the California Privacy Rights Center's opt-out portal
Contact data brokers individually

The Right to Non-Discrimination

Businesses cannot discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights. They cannot:

Deny you goods or services
Charge different prices or rates
Provide different quality of service
Suggest that exercising rights will result in penalties

How to Exercise Your Data Deletion Rights

Exercising your rights under California privacy laws involves specific steps. Here's how to take action:

Step 1: Identify Which Companies Have Your Data

Before you can request deletion, you need to know which companies are collecting your information. Common data brokers operating in California include:

People search websites
Credit reporting agencies
Marketing data companies
Social media platforms
E-commerce retailers
Financial institutions
Healthcare providers
Insurance companies

Start by searching your name online to see what information is publicly available. This will give you a baseline understanding of your digital footprint.

Step 2: Submit Individual Deletion Requests

For each company, you'll need to:

Locate their privacy policy or "Your Privacy Choices" page
Find the data deletion request form or contact information
Submit a formal request including:

- Your full name

- Email address

- Phone number

- Specific description of the data you want deleted

- Reference to the CCPA/CPRA

Keep detailed records of every request, including:

Date submitted
Company name
Contact method
Request confirmation numbers
Response dates
Whether the company complied

Step 3: Follow Up on Non-Responses

If a company doesn't respond within 45 days, you have grounds to file a complaint. Send a follow-up email referencing your original request and the legal deadline.

Step 4: Document Non-Compliance

If a company refuses to delete your data or ignores your request, document everything:

Copies of your original request
Proof of delivery
Any responses received
Dates of all communications
Screenshots of data still online

This documentation will be essential if you need to file a complaint with the California Attorney General.

Which Data Brokers Operate in California

Data brokers are the primary targets of California privacy laws. These companies specialize in collecting, aggregating, and selling consumer data. Some of the largest data brokers operating in California include:

People Search Sites: BeenVerified, Spokeo, Whitepages, TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate
Credit Reporting Agencies: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion (though primarily regulated by the FCRA)
Marketing Data Companies: Acxiom, Epsilon, Liveramp
Background Check Services: Checkr, Sterling, GoodHire
Data Aggregators: Intelius, PeopleLooker, Radaris

Many of these companies maintain "do not sell my personal information" pages where you can submit opt-out requests. However, the process is often fragmented and time-consuming, requiring separate requests to dozens of different companies.

Step-by-Step: Filing a Complaint with the California Attorney General

If a company violates your California privacy rights, you can file a formal complaint with the California Attorney General's office. Here's how:

Step 1: Gather Documentation

Before filing, compile:

Copies of your deletion requests
Proof the company received your request (delivery confirmation, screenshots)
Evidence that the company failed to comply (data still appearing online)
All correspondence with the company
Dates of all communications
Screenshots showing the violation

Step 2: Access the Attorney General's Portal

Visit the California Attorney General's website and locate the privacy complaint form. The state has established a specific process for CCPA/CPRA violations.

Step 3: Complete the Complaint Form

Provide:

Your contact information
The company's name and contact details
Detailed description of the violation
Specific personal information involved
Timeline of events
All supporting documentation

Step 4: Submit and Track

Submit your complaint through the official portal. The Attorney General's office will:

Review your complaint
Investigate if warranted
Potentially take enforcement action
Notify you of the outcome

Note that the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) now handles CPRA enforcement, so some complaints may be directed there instead.

Step 5: Consider Legal Action

If the Attorney General doesn't take action, you may have the right to pursue a private right of action for certain violations, particularly data breaches. Consult with a privacy attorney to understand your options.

How GhostMyData Automates Removals Under California Law

Managing your privacy under California law can be overwhelming. You'd need to identify dozens of data brokers, submit individual requests to each one, track responses, and follow up on non-compliance. This is where GhostMyData simplifies the process.

The Problem with Manual Removal

Attempting to remove your data manually involves:

Spending 20-40+ hours researching data brokers
Navigating confusing privacy portals
Submitting repetitive forms across dozens of websites
Tracking dozens of separate requests
Following up on non-responses
Dealing with companies that ignore deletion requests

How GhostMyData Works

GhostMyData automates this entire process:

Comprehensive Scan: We identify all major data brokers and people search sites holding your information
Automated Requests: We submit CCPA/CPRA-compliant deletion requests on your behalf
Legal Compliance: Our requests reference the applicable California privacy laws
Tracking and Follow-Up: We monitor responses and automatically follow up on non-compliance
Ongoing Monitoring: We continuously scan for your information and submit new removal requests as needed
Detailed Reporting: You receive regular reports showing which removals were successful

California-Specific Features

GhostMyData's service is specifically optimized for California residents:

Full CCPA/CPRA compliance
Knowledge of California data broker registration requirements
Familiarity with California Attorney General enforcement patterns
Ability to reference the California Privacy Protection Agency in requests
Understanding of California-specific data broker regulations

Getting Started with GhostMyData

The process is simple:

Visit ghostmydata.com
Complete our free privacy scan to see what data is available about you
Review your personalized removal plan
Choose your service level from our pricing options
We handle all removal requests and follow-ups
Monitor your dashboard for removal updates

Compare Your Options

Not sure if GhostMyData is right for you? Compare our service with manual removal and other privacy services to see how we stack up.

FAQ: California Data Privacy Rights

What's the difference between the CCPA and CPRA?

The CPRA is an enhanced version of the CCPA that went into effect January 1, 2023. Key differences include:

Creation of the California Privacy Protection Agency for dedicated enforcement
Expanded definition of personal information to include inferences
New rights to correct and delete inaccurate data
Stricter requirements for data brokers
Stronger protections for sensitive personal information
Higher penalties for violations

If you're a California resident, both laws apply to you, with CPRA providing additional protections.

How long does it take to remove my data from California data brokers?

By law, data brokers must respond to deletion requests within 45 days. However, in practice, some companies respond faster (1-2 weeks) while others take the full 45 days. Some companies may not comply at all, requiring follow-up or complaint filing. GhostMyData's automated service typically achieves significant results within 60-90 days.

Can I request my data back after deletion?

Yes. Deletion is not permanent. If you request deletion and later change your mind, you can contact the company to restore your information. However, companies are not obligated to restore data they've already deleted, so carefully consider your request before submitting it.

What if a company ignores my deletion request?

Document the non-response and file a complaint with the California Attorney General or California Privacy Protection Agency. Include copies of your request, proof of delivery, and evidence that the company still holds your data. The state has enforcement authority to fine companies up to $2,500 per violation or $7,500 per intentional violation.

Does California privacy law apply to out-of-state companies?

Yes. If an out-of-state company collects data from California residents and meets the CCPA/CPRA threshold requirements, they must comply with California privacy laws. This is one of the reasons California privacy law has had such broad impact—many national companies must comply to serve California residents.

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Take Control of Your California Privacy Today

Your California privacy rights are powerful, but exercising them requires time, persistence, and attention to detail. Don't let data brokers profit from your personal information while you struggle with manual removal requests.

Start your free privacy scan with GhostMyData today to discover exactly what data brokers have collected about you. Our automated removal service handles all the heavy lifting, ensuring your deletion requests comply with CCPA/CPRA requirements and following up until your data is removed.

Because in California, your data privacy isn't just a right—it's your power.