Penalty Amount
$69,800
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) settled with data brokers Growbots, Inc. and UpLead LLC for failing to register and pay annual fees under the California Delete Act. Growbots paid $35,400 and UpLead paid $34,400, and both agreed to injunctive terms including payment of attorney fees for non-compliance. This action enforces the Delete Act's requirements for data broker transparency and consumer privacy.
The companies must pay the specified fines and comply with injunctive terms that require adherence to the Delete Act and payment of the Enforcement Division's attorney fees if future non-compliance occurs.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor, customer, and data processing agreements with entities classified as data brokers under California law. Specifically scrutinize clauses addressing: (1) registration and fee payment obligations under the California Delete Act; (2) compliance with statutory deadlines and reporting requirements; (3) injunctive relief and attorney fee shifting provisions for non-compliance; and (4) obligations related to consumer deletion requests via the Data Broker Requests and Opt-Out Platform (DROP). Agreements may need amendments to explicitly mandate Delete Act registration, annual fee responsibility, and cooperation with DROP, while also allocating costs for enforcement actions and attorney fees.
Entity
Growbots, Inc. and UpLead LLC
Also known as: Growbots and UpLead
Industry
Data BrokerThe California Privacy Protection Agency announced that over 300,000 Californians have signed up for the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) since its launch five months ago. The Data Broker Registry now includes 581 registered data brokers, the highest number since the registry was established in 2020. Beginning August 1, 2026, all data brokers will be required to access DROP and process deletion requests.
The California Privacy Protection Agency launched a statewide roadshow to promote its Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP), which allows California residents to request deletion of their personal information from all registered data brokers in a single request. The roadshow aims to increase awareness of data privacy rights and the DROP tool, which data brokers are legally required to process starting August 1, 2026.
$376K
The California Privacy Protection Agency settled with Ford Motor Company for $375,703 after finding that Ford violated the CCPA by requiring email verification for opt-out requests, creating unnecessary friction. Ford must implement easier opt-out methods, conduct a website audit, and comply with global privacy controls.
$1.1M
The California Privacy Protection Agency settled with PlayOn Sports for $1.10 million over CCPA violations, including failing to provide adequate opt-out mechanisms and improperly tracking users, particularly students. The company must implement proper opt-out methods, improve disclosures, and comply with children's data consent requirements.
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy) announced the appointment of Sabrina Boyson Ross as its first Chief Privacy Auditor and the formation of a new Audits Division. The division will conduct regulatory examinations of businesses to determine compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act, and its findings may lead to enforcement referrals.
$45K
Datamasters, a data broker, failed to register with the California Data Broker Registry as required by the Delete Act. The company sold sensitive personal information including health conditions, age, race, and political views. As a result, it must pay a $45,000 fine and cease all sales of Californians' personal information.