Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) vs DuckDuckGo Personal Information Removal

Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) is a free web service from the California Privacy Protection Agency, also called CalPrivacy. It lets eligible California residents ask data brokers to delete their personal information and stop selling or sharing it. One request can reach over 600 registered data brokers. Users begin with a name, date of birth, and ZIP code, then may add more information. Mobile advertising IDs, connected TV IDs, and vehicle identification numbers are optional. After initial processing, brokers must re-check for new matching information and delete it at least every 45 days. Brokers have up to 90 days to report how they handled a request, and users can update their profile once every 45 days. DROP says submitted information is used only to process requests and stored in secure, unreadable hashed form. Residency verification runs through the California Identity Gateway, and DROP says it does not retain that verification information. The service does not require deletion of information given directly to a business, publicly available information, or legally exempt information.

DuckDuckGo Personal Information Removal searches supported data broker and people-search sites for personal details such as names and addresses, then sends requests to remove them. Its listed coverage includes Spokeo, TruePeopleSearch and FastPeopleSearch, among 49 sites. The service periodically rescans sites and handles broker confirmation emails to help catch information that returns. DuckDuckGo says setup information and removal requests are handled on the subscriber’s device, and confirmation emails are deleted within 72 hours. After setup, scans and removals run in the background. The service is limited to U.S. residents, one person per subscription and one device. It works through DuckDuckGo’s Windows or Mac desktop browser and its iOS browser; iOS users need Background App Refresh enabled for effective operation. It cannot remove information from sources including social media, government databases, public records, news articles or image databases. Requests may fail, processing can take up to six weeks, and information may reappear. Plus costs $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year; Pro costs $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year. A free trial is available; there is no free plan.