California residents can now delete all their personal info from internet
California data law
California citizens can now wipe all their personal information off the internet. On Tuesday (Oct 10th), California governor Gavin Newsom signed into law, a bill that enables residents to put in a request for the deletion of all their personal data from the coffers of data brokers in the state.
Delete Act
The bill called Delete Act or SB 362 was originally introduced back in April 2023, by California Senator Josh Becker. This bill aims to give Californians more control over their privacy by enabling data deletion from a single page bypassing the previous tedious process.
Also read |EU warns Elon Musk to tackle dissemination of disinformation on X after Hamas attack on Israel
It adds to a pre-existing right, under which California citizens can request data deletion, regardless of how the data was acquired by data brokers.
However, the earlier law requires individuals to file a request with each individual company.
)
The Early Spring is proof not everyone can talk about their real feelings, and it is perfectly OK
)
UN votes to ‘correct the map’ as India backs fairer world view
)
Nigerian Navy discovers 99,000 litres of suspected stolen, illegally refined products as it intensifies anti-crude oil theft operations
)
Who is Aditi Paudel? 17-year-old becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador
)
Bengaluru: Officials find 40 kg expired chilli at chairman's club
)
Jaishankar rejects trade link to ending Ukraine war
)
Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill three, injure 23 despite truce
)
Alpine glacier was covered with sheep wool sheets to prevent melting. It worked
)
South Korea mulls deploying military assets to Strait of Hormuz
)
World's fifth-largest economy, British army can't afford to train
)
Breaking | Vance takes the podium: First White House briefing since Leavitt's exit
)
Taiwan raises 'concerns' over China's missile test
)
BRICS 2026: $1 trillion sovereign capital set to converge in Delhi for first iBRICS Summit
)
What is Iran's Pickaxe Mountain that Trump has again threatened to bomb?
)
UN votes to correct world map that visually shrank Africa for 450 years
)
Former NewJeans member Danielle launches YouTube channel, hints at new solo journey
)
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy creates history with 350 not out in South Africa
)
Brendan Fraser’s transformation fuels The Mummy 4 excitement as fans welcome back Rick O’Connell
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: From Dhaniya Panjiri to Makhana Kheer- 5 best sweet dishes perfect for celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth
)
Donald Trump plans to travel to Ireland on Qatari-donated jet amid security concerns
)
Nazi-looted art to return to Jewish heirs
)
Eight killed in Kerala’s Thrissur after car rams into lorry parked on highway
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets use bulky, low-pressure tyres compared to US jets
)
FBI-wanted fraud accused arrested in Jalandhar over $600,000 scam
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US tanks weigh over 20 tons more than Russian tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (September 4, 2026): GDN, Dhamaal 4, Jagamae Sangeetham- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest
Other bill provisions
The bill, as per The Guardian report, reinforces that all data brokers in the state must register with the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA).
It also requires the CPPA to establish an easy and free way for residentsto request data deletion through "a single page".
Is there a penalty for non-compliance?
Data brokers that don't comply with these rules can be fined and otherwise penalised.
As per an earlier report by Digiday, data brokers that fail to register with the CPPA would be fined $200 each, additionally failure to comply with data deletion requests will attract a $200/day fine per request.
Talking to the press, Senator Josh Becker lauded the passing of the bill and said, "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."
Proponents of the bill laud the less tedious and user-friendly process. However, advertising companies argue that the bill would undermine their industry.
In a letter, a group of trade bodies said that "absent this data, smaller enterprises will lose a critical path to reach and attract new customers, and consumers overall will have less exposure to new products and services that may interest them."
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
