California’s data privacy watchdog has undergone a significant transformation. The California Privacy Protection Agency has adopted CalPrivacy as its public-facing identity, marking a shift toward more accessible and consumer-centered privacy protection. So you will hear us calling it the CPPA and CalPrivacy interchangeably from here on out.
Understanding the CalPrivacy Rebrand
While the official designation remains the California Privacy Protection Agency, the organization now operates publicly under the CalPrivacy moniker. This strategic rebranding moves away from the alphabet soup acronym “CPPA” to a name that immediately communicates the agency’s mission and geographic focus.
The change reflects CalPrivacy’s dedication to making privacy rights understandable and actionable for everyday residents of California, rather than remaining an obscure regulatory body known only by its bureaucratic abbreviation.
Eight Essential Privacy Protections Now Available -CalPrivacy: California’s New Face of Consumer Privacy Protection
CalPrivacy has introduced a comprehensive suite of privacy guidance on Privacy.ca.gov, designed to empower Californians with practical knowledge about protecting their personal data. These actionable tips address the most pressing privacy concerns facing consumers today.
The new tips cover a wide range of topics to help individuals take control of their online privacy including how to:
- Enable opt-out preference signals
- Submit a privacy request
- Limit website tracking
- Limit mobile device tracking
- Secure your account
- Monitor breaches and watch for scams
- Submit a complaint
- And more
Key Privacy Actions Californians Can Take
The newly published guidance walks residents through critical privacy protections:
Activating Opt-Out Preference Signals – Californians can now learn how to enable browser-level privacy controls that automatically communicate their data-sharing preferences to websites they visit.
Requesting Data Access and Deletion – Step-by-step instructions help consumers exercise their legal right to know what information businesses hold about them and request its removal.
Controlling Website Tracking – Practical techniques for limiting how websites monitor browsing behavior and build profiles of online activity.
Managing Mobile Device Privacy – Guidance on restricting location tracking, ad targeting, and app-based data collection on smartphones and tablets.
Strengthening Account Security – Best practices for passwords, two-factor authentication, and protecting accounts from unauthorized access.
Detecting Data Breaches and Avoiding Scams – Resources for staying informed about security incidents and recognizing fraudulent schemes targeting personal information.
Filing Privacy Complaints – Clear pathways for reporting businesses that violate California privacy laws or fail to honor consumer requests.
Additional Privacy Safeguards – Supplementary tips covering emerging privacy challenges and evolving protection strategies.
Comprehensive Resources for California Residents from CalPrivacy
Beyond the eight core privacy tips, CalPrivacy has developed Privacy.ca.gov as a centralized resource hub. The site consolidates essential information about consumer rights, business obligations, and digital privacy protections in one accessible location.
Available Resources Include:
California Privacy Rights Overview – Detailed explanations of legal protections afforded to California consumers under state privacy legislation.
Senior-Focused Privacy Guidance – Specialized advice addressing privacy concerns particularly relevant to older Californians, who may face unique vulnerabilities.
Educational Video Content – Visual resources explaining complex topics like opt-out mechanisms and deceptive “dark patterns” that manipulate consumer choices.
CalPrivacy Blog – Expert analysis and consumer-focused insights exploring current privacy topics, regulatory developments, and practical advice from agency specialists.
Revolutionary Data Broker Platform Launching 2026
CalPrivacy plans to unveil the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) in January 2026—a groundbreaking system without precedent in the United States. This innovative tool will enable Californians to request data deletion from multiple data brokers through a single, streamlined interface.
Data brokers companies that collect and sell personal information without direct consumer relationships have historically been difficult for individuals to escape. DROP will eliminate the burden of submitting separate requests to dozens or hundreds of brokers, consolidating the process into one efficient action.
Staying Connected with CalPrivacy
California residents interested in privacy protection can stay informed about DROP’s launch, new resources, and evolving guidance through multiple channels:
- Newsletter Subscription – Email updates delivered directly to subscribers
- Facebook – Social media updates and community engagement
- Instagram – Visual content and privacy awareness campaigns
- X (formerly Twitter) – Real-time announcements and quick tips
- Bluesky – Alternative social platform presence
- LinkedIn – Professional network updates and industry insights
CalPrivacy’s Mission and Authority
Operating under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), CalPrivacy serves as both educator and enforcer. The agency focuses on raising awareness of consumer privacy rights while ensuring businesses understand and fulfill their legal responsibilities regarding personal data handling.
The organization conducts public board meetings, manages regulatory rulemaking processes, and provides current information about enforcement actions—all accessible through privacy.ca.gov.
CalPrivacy is Taking Action on Your Privacy Rights
California’s privacy laws grant residents significant control over their personal information, but these rights only matter when people know they exist and understand how to exercise them. CalPrivacy’s transformation represents a commitment to closing the gap between legal protections on paper and practical privacy empowerment in daily life.
Whether you’re concerned about data brokers selling your information, want to stop invasive tracking, or simply need to understand what rights you have, CalPrivacy now offers clear pathways to taking control. Visit Privacy.ca.gov to explore the new privacy tips and discover how California’s privacy laws work for you.
CalPrivacy Privacy Software Solution
If you need help becoming compliant with the CalPrivacy reach out below and book a demo with one of our IAPP privacy experts who can walk you through how our software here at Captain Compliance can automate your privacy requirements.
