Data Broker
Under California’s Delete Act (Civ. Code § 1798.99.80(c)), “a business that knowingly collects and sells to third parties the personal information of a consumer with whom the business does not have a direct relationship.” Many lead aggregators fall squarely within it.
Why Data Broker Matters for Operators
Lead data is regulated data. Data-broker registration, the California Delete Act, and the DROP deletion mechanism reach a lot of lead-gen businesses that never thought of themselves as “data brokers.”
Understanding data broker is part of running a clean lead-generation funnel. Whether you generate, buy, or broker leads, this concept affects how you capture consent, who you can contact, and the proof you need to keep — so it directly shapes your exposure.
Key Takeaways
- 1Data Broker is a data-privacy concept that operators should understand to stay clean.
- 2Under California’s Delete Act (Civ. Code § 1798.99.80(c)), “a business that knowingly collects and sells to third parties the personal information of a consumer with whom the business does not have a direct relationship.” Many lead aggregators fall squarely within it.
- 3Use the free tools below to apply this concept to your own funnel and find out where you're exposed.
Apply This Concept
Related Articles
Are You a “Data Broker” Under California Law? The Direct-Relationship Test
California’s data-broker definition turns on one question: do you have a direct relationship with the consumer? Here’s how the test works for a lead-gen business — and where the GLBA/FCRA carve-outs stop.
California’s DROP Goes Live: What August 1, 2026 Means If You Buy or Sell Consumer Data
California’s Delete Request and Opt-out Platform lets a consumer delete their data across every registered broker with one request. Registered brokers must start honoring those requests on August 1, 2026.
Stay ahead of the rule changes
Plain-English breakdowns of concepts like data broker — what changed in lead-gen compliance and what to do about it. Free, no spam.