data brokers

California offers a new tool called DROP for residents to request data brokers delete their information and stop tracking them. CalMatters and The Markup are seeking public participation to test compliance with the program.

California residents can now use a new tool called DROP to request data brokers delete their personal information and stop tracking them. Journalists from CalMatters and The Markup are seeking public help to test if brokers comply with these requests.

Empty envelopes with tracking numbers and QR codes are part of a scam called brushing, where scammers use fake orders to post fraudulent reviews. Scanning QR codes can lead to fake websites designed to steal personal information.

Complaints to the CFPB about debt collection for unowed debts rose 115% in 2025, with many cases involving suspected identity theft. Debt collectors use outdated contact information and data-broker profiles to target individuals, often based on breached data, while federal laws like Regulation F and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provide consumers with dispute rights and validation requirements.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers warns the Pentagon has not adequately protected U.S. military personnel from adversaries exploiting commercially available location data to track or surveil troops overseas. The lawmakers cited reports from U.S. Central Command indicating foreign adversaries may purchase data to identify military installations or monitor troop movements.

Lawmakers warn that foreign adversaries are exploiting commercially available location data to track U.S. military personnel overseas, criticizing the Pentagon for failing to implement basic security measures. They highlight vulnerabilities in government-issued devices and call for disabling location sharing and advertising identifiers to mitigate risks.

Data brokers are aiding enemies in targeting US troops, according to lawmakers who urge the Pentagon to take stronger action. The issue highlights concerns about sensitive military information being accessible through commercial data channels.

U.S. forces in war zones are being targeted using commercially available location data, according to Pentagon reports. The issue highlights risks from the global surveillance economy, with lawmakers urging the Pentagon to address the national security threat posed by the adtech industry.

An investigation by The Markup and CalMatters revealed that many California-registered data brokers used 'no-index' code to hide opt-out pages from search results, making it harder for consumers to delete their data. Following the report and a Senate inquiry led by Sen. Maggie Hassan, most of these brokers removed the code, though eight remain non-compliant.

The article highlights how data brokers collect and sell personal information, enabling scammers to target widows with phishing scams. It explains that details from obituaries, death records, and probate filings create detailed profiles accessible to fraudsters, urging widows to remove their data from people-search sites and limit obituary details to prevent exploitation.

The article explains how scammers exploit data broker sites like Spokeo and Whitepages to build detailed profiles on individuals, using publicly available personal information such as addresses, family details, and financial data to target victims with scams. These profiles enable criminals to craft personalized, convincing scams by cross-referencing multiple data sources and public records.

A strong Wi-Fi password alone is insufficient for online privacy, as data can still be exposed through ISPs, websites, and third-party collectors. A VPN encrypts internet traffic and masks the user's IP address to enhance privacy and security.

The article discusses the challenges of removing personal information from data brokers and people search sites, highlighting how these entities profit from maintaining data. It recommends using data removal services or step-by-step guides to mitigate risks of identity theft and data exposure.

Congress estimates data broker breaches have cost consumers $20 billion in identity theft. An investigation by Congress's Joint Economic Committee, prompted by reporting from The Markup and CalMatters, revealed that major brokers are now making it easier for consumers to opt out of their databases.

California's new DROP tool allows residents to block data brokers from tracking or selling their personal information. The system, mandated by the 2023 Delete Act, enables users to submit requests to all registered brokers at once, simplifying a process previously requiring individual opt-outs for each broker.

The Justice Department is investigating data brokers' role in facilitating elder fraud schemes. The investigation examines how personal information sold by data brokers enables criminals to target and defraud vulnerable elderly populations. This raises concerns about data broker practices and their responsibility in protecting consumers from exploitation.

Data brokers are advertising data related to U.S. military personnel, as reported by Lawfare. The article highlights concerns about the sale and availability of sensitive information about active or former military members.