California Mass Opt-Out vs. EasyOptOuts

Questions
1

Residents of California recently gained access to a tool that will massively simplify the process of sending delete requests to hundreds of data brokers. (See: California launches tool enabling mass opt-out from data brokers )

However, the current recommendation from Privacy Guides is to use the paid service EasyOptOuts. It is fairly affordable at $20/year.

Does California’s new, free tool essentially deprecate this paid recommendation? It seems like a no-brainer if you happen to live in California.

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2

I would still use EasyOptOuts though. It is better.

No.

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3

Going by what’s stated in their respective websites, EasyOptOuts claims “over 240” data broker services while DROP claims over 500.

California website even has the entire list, which is around 540 something at the time of writing..

I see EasyOptOuts also has a list, so I might make an objective comparison one of these days.

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4

On what metric? I am using EasyOptOuts, so nothing against them.

But the California service is new and an unknown, at least to me.

Is the California one ineffective? Bad because it is run by a government (or their contractors)?

Just curious as to the reason for the blanket statement. . .

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5

This is why I consider the existing option better for the most part. I/we don’t know much about this new option so unless its proven to be safe and secure to use it, I would not use it.

6

EasyOptOut can help in the case you no longer become a California resident.

I also believe it provides perpetual protection every four months while California’s DROP is just a one-click button. I can’t confirm whether the list varies substantially from one another.

To be honest, you can also remind yourself to visit CalPrivacy every four months or so to mimic this effect. We can’t comment on whether EasyOptOut is faster than DROP, but there is an official confirmation that DROP has legally-binding 90 day removal period. Some services may take their sweet time but others may respond quickly.

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7

Data brokers must access DROP every 45 days and download lists of hashed identifiers. So ongoing deletion every 45 days not one-time.

Edit:

After further research from California’s Gov website:

-> Data brokers must access DROP every 45 days and retrieve new/updated consumer deletion requests

→ Data brokers are required to report one of four statuses for each request within 45 days of retrieval: “record deleted,” “record opted out of sale,” “record exempt,” or “record not found”.

→ Data brokers must maintain each consumer deletion request in a suppression list—regardless of whether or not they initially matched with records in their own database—to ensure ongoing compliance with the Delete Act. Data brokers are allowed to remove consumers from their suppression list if the consumer later cancels their deletion request.

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