Most data brokers won’t tell you what happened to your deletion request

Help Net Security

July 10, 2026 at 6:30 AM

Overview

A recent study by a team at UC Irvine has revealed that most data brokers in California do not respond to requests from individuals seeking to have their personal information deleted. Data brokers, which gather and sell personal details about many adults in the U.S. to various buyers like employers and insurance companies, are required by California law to comply with deletion requests. However, the research indicates that many brokers either ignore these requests or fail to inform consumers about the status of their deletion. This raises concerns about privacy and consumer rights, as individuals may believe they have taken steps to protect their information, only to find out that their data remains in circulation. The findings highlight a significant gap in the accountability of data brokers and the effectiveness of current privacy laws.

Key Takeaways

Affected Systems: Data brokers in California
Action Required: Consumers are encouraged to continue submitting deletion requests and to be aware that many brokers may not comply.
Timeline: Newly disclosed

Original Article Summary

Data brokers collect personal details on most adults in the United States and sell them to buyers that include employers, landlords, insurance companies, and government agencies. California gives residents a way to push back. You can ask a broker to delete your records, or to stop selling and sharing them. A team at UC Irvine decided to find out what happens when someone sends those requests to the whole California registry. The answer gives consumers … More → The post Most data brokers won’t tell you what happened to your deletion request appeared first on Help Net Security.

Impact

Data brokers in California

Exploitation Status

No active exploitation has been reported at this time. However, organizations should still apply patches promptly as proof-of-concept code may exist.

Timeline

Newly disclosed

Remediation

Consumers are encouraged to continue submitting deletion requests and to be aware that many brokers may not comply. Advocacy for stronger regulations may be necessary.

Additional Information

This threat intelligence is aggregated from trusted cybersecurity sources. For the most up-to-date information, technical details, and official vendor guidance, please refer to the original article linked below.

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