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Privacy Glossary · Definition

Opt-Out

A request that a business stop a specified processing activity, such as selling personal information or using it for targeted advertising.

Full definition

Under CCPA, "opt-out" refers specifically to the right to direct a business to stop selling or sharing personal information. Under most newer state laws, separate opt-outs exist for sale, targeted advertising, and profiling. Opt-out is narrower than deletion: the business may retain data but must stop the specified activity. Universal opt-out mechanisms like Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal opt-out at the browser level.

Related terms

Universal Opt-Out Mechanism

A browser-level signal recognised as a legal opt-out of sale, sharing, and targeted advertising.

Global Privacy Control (GPC)

A browser and extension signal that communicates a user's intent to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information.

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