Why "proof of deletion" matters for Californians
The California Delete Act transforms how residents can verify that their personal data has actually been removed from broker databases. This groundbreaking legislation defines data brokers as "businesses that collect and sell personal information belonging to California consumers with whom they do not have a direct relationship." For Californians concerned about their digital privacy, obtaining solid proof of deletion has become essential for ensuring these companies truly erase their information.
Under the new law, data brokers must provide specific documentation when processing deletion requests. According to recent regulatory guidance, "a data broker is a business that knowingly collects and sells to third parties the personal information of a consumer with whom the business does not have a direct relationship." This means thousands of companies that trade consumer data without direct relationships now face strict requirements for proving they've honored deletion requests.
The state's upcoming DROP platform represents a universal deletion mechanism currently being developed by the CPPA, enabling California consumers to submit a single request that would direct all data brokers to delete their personal information. This centralized system will standardize how brokers issue receipts and confirmations.
Importantly, the penalty for non-compliance starts at $200 per day for failing to register. This financial pressure ensures brokers take their receipt obligations seriously, creating a paper trail that consumers can use to verify compliance and escalate issues when necessary.
Key Delete Act timelines, penalties, and receipt obligations
The California Privacy Protection Agency has established clear deadlines for the Delete Act's implementation. By January 1, 2026, the CPPA must create a Delete Requests and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) that lets consumers send one verified request requiring all registered brokers to delete their personal information. This centralized system fundamentally changes how deletion receipts will be generated and tracked.
Once DROP launches, brokers must check the platform at least every 45 days to process consumer deletion requests. This 45-day window represents a hard deadline that brokers cannot ignore without facing significant consequences. The daily penalty of $200 per day for failing to register creates immediate financial pressure for compliance.
Starting January 1, 2026, the CPPA anticipates that DROP will be available on its website, marking a new era in data deletion verification. Brokers will need to provide standardized receipts through this system, making it easier for consumers to track and audit their deletion requests across multiple companies.
Recent CPPA fines show the cost of non-compliance
The CPPA's enforcement sweep demonstrates serious consequences for brokers who fail to comply. Accurate Append faced a $55,400 fine and the CPPA's attorneys' fees and costs for failure to register as a data broker and pay the required annual fee. This settlement shows the financial risk brokers face when ignoring deletion requirements.
Another high-profile case involved Jerico Pictures, Inc., where the CPPA announced an enforcement action seeking a $46,000 fine for failing to register as a data broker and failing to pay the corresponding annual fee. These cases establish clear precedents for how regulators will handle companies that don't provide proper deletion receipts.
Beyond individual cases, the CPPA's enforcement priorities include a focus on honoring opt-out requests, cracking down on dark patterns, emphasizing data minimization, and scrutinizing data broker compliance under the Delete Act. These enforcement trends signal that receipt documentation will become increasingly important for both consumers and brokers.
Step-by-step: Requesting, tracking, and reading broker receipts
The process begins when consumers submit a single verifiable deletion request to all registered data brokers. This streamlined approach eliminates the need to contact hundreds of brokers individually, creating a standardized receipt system that consumers can easily understand and track.
Most data brokers have up to 45 days to comply with deletion requests, though sometimes these deadlines are ignored. During this period, consumers should expect to receive confirmation receipts that document the broker's actions. These receipts serve as critical evidence if disputes arise later.
Disclose details related to deletion requests must be provided by July 1 of each year, including response times and the percentage of requests granted or denied. This annual reporting requirement creates additional documentation that consumers can use to verify their individual deletion requests were properly processed.
Brokers must respond within 45 days after receipt of the consumer request. The timing provisions also require confirmation within 10 business days and provide information about how the business will process the request. These multiple touchpoints create a clear audit trail for consumers to follow.
Typical receipt fields: request ID, status code, date stamp
DeleteMe sends reports to their users that detail which brokers had your data, which personal pieces of information were found, and which removal requests are still in process. This comprehensive reporting model shows what consumers should expect from proper deletion receipts.
Incogni provides dashboards that display an activity log showing the most recent removal requests. These visual tracking systems help consumers understand the status of their deletion requests at a glance, making it easier to identify missing or incomplete receipts.
Typical deletion receipts include specific confirmation language stating "You will receive" an email to confirm once the data has been deleted. Additionally, receipts often note that "You have been" opted out of the sharing or sale of your data from our website for a period of 12 months.
The timing provisions require businesses to confirm receipt of a consumer request within 10 business days. This initial confirmation should include a unique request ID that consumers can use to track their deletion through completion, creating a verifiable chain of documentation.
Auditing and escalating when the 45-day clock runs out
When brokers miss deadlines, the CPPA's enforcement sweep highlights several emerging regulatory priorities including scrutiny of data broker compliance. Consumers who don't receive receipts within the statutory timeframe have clear escalation paths available.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that businesses must honor requests to stop selling personal data. This enforcement stance extends to deletion requests, giving consumers powerful allies when brokers fail to provide proper receipts.
The CPPA's Executive Director Tom Kemp stated, "We are proud" to join this effort to ensure that consumers' opt-out rights are honored. This commitment from top regulators means consumers can expect serious investigation of brokers who don't provide deletion receipts.
Brokers face a clear deadline: You have 45 days after receipt of the consumer request to respond. Missing this window triggers potential enforcement action, and the penalty starts at $200 per day for failing to register properly.
How Cloaked automatically stores and tags every broker response
Cloaked removes personal info from 120+ data brokers and other sites, creating a comprehensive audit trail for every deletion request. The platform automatically captures and stores broker responses, eliminating the need for manual receipt tracking that often leads to lost documentation.
The Cloaked dashboard provides real-time visibility into broker responses. Users receive email confirmation once data has been deleted, with all communications archived within the platform for future reference. This centralized storage ensures consumers never lose critical receipt documentation.
Beyond basic receipt storage, timing provisions require businesses to confirm receipt within 10 business days. Cloaked tracks these deadlines automatically, flagging brokers who miss their obligations and providing users with the documentation needed to escalate non-compliance issues.
Do other removal services give the same audit trail?
DeleteMe focuses on 85+ targeted removals with detailed reporting, but their audit trail capabilities vary compared to more comprehensive platforms. While DeleteMe provides monthly reports, the receipt storage and tagging features differ significantly from automated solutions.
Incogni offers coverage for over 420+ data brokers, making it one of the most extensive services available. However, the platform's approach to receipt documentation and audit trails focuses more on volume than detailed tracking of individual broker responses.
DeleteMe sends monthly reports detailing which brokers had your data and which removal requests remain in process. This periodic reporting model provides documentation, though it may not capture real-time receipt updates as comprehensively as automated platforms.
Importantly, brokers must respond within 45 days after receipt of consumer requests. Services that don't track this deadline automatically may leave consumers without the documentation needed to prove non-compliance, making receipt management a critical differentiator.
Takeaway: receipts today, DROP tomorrow
The Delete Act's receipt requirements represent just the beginning of California's push for deletion transparency. Cloaked will remove personal info from 120+ data brokers while maintaining comprehensive receipt documentation, preparing consumers for the DROP platform's 2026 launch.
Looking ahead, Cloaked offers features for managing online identities, including an AutoCloak feature that automatically changes passwords on several websites at once. This proactive approach to privacy complements deletion receipts by preventing data collection before it happens.
As the DROP platform approaches its January 2026 launch, having a robust receipt management system becomes increasingly important. Consumers who start documenting their deletion requests now will be better positioned to transition to the centralized platform while maintaining their audit trails. The combination of automated receipt storage, deadline tracking, and escalation support ensures Californians can fully exercise their Delete Act rights with confidence.
California Delete Act Deletion Proof & Receipts | Cloaked FAQ 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Submit a verifiable deletion request (via the CPPA's DROP starting January 1, 2026, or directly to brokers today). Expect an initial confirmation within 10 business days and a final response within 45 days that includes a unique request ID, status code, and timestamps you can archive for audits.
Keep your submission records and send a follow-up citing the statutory timeline. If still unresponsive, file a complaint with the CPPA and consider notifying the California Attorney General; recent enforcement sweeps show regulators prioritize broker compliance, with penalties for failures such as not registering.
A unique request ID, the broker's status code (received, in-process, completed, or denied), and date/time stamps. Annual broker reports due by July 1 summarizing response times and outcomes provide additional context to compare against your receipt trail.
DROP will let consumers send one verified request to all registered brokers and standardize confirmation receipts. Brokers must check DROP at least every 45 days, making status tracking and audits simpler across companies.
Cloaked removes personal data from 120+ brokers and automatically captures, tags, and archives every broker response in your dashboard. It tracks the 10-business-day acknowledgment and 45-day completion windows, flags missed deadlines, and emails confirmations for your records.
DeleteMe provides detailed monthly reports, while Incogni offers an activity log across hundreds of brokers.
Cloaked focuses on a real-time dashboard that stores and tags each broker response and deadline, reducing the risk of missing receipts during audits.
