In the united states, google is not required to remove results from its search engine if requested.

Google announced on April 27 that the public can now submit removal requests for additional Google Search results containing personal information. The company previously had a very high bar for getting results with sensitive info wiped away. It can be frightening to have your email address, phone number, or home address pop up in a search result, and you need to take action to protect your privacy.

In addition to the removal of personal information, Google is considering removal requests for images of minors, deepfake pornography, and other explicit content. Although getting results scrubbed from Google Search won’t remove web pages from the internet, it will divert one of the biggest drivers of traffic.

There’s no guarantee that unwanted search results will disappear completely, however. As a result of your request, the web page could be removed from all searches on Google, only searches involving your name, or none of the above. For more information about disappearing digitally, check out our tips on deleting yourself from the internet from senior writer Matt Burgess.

As part of the announcement, Google’s Global Policy Lead for Search, Michelle Chang, wrote, “Open access to information is a key goal of Search, but so is empowering people with the tools they need to protect themselves and keep their sensitive, personally identifiable information private.” The new procedures can protect against malicious doxxing, as well as information leaks that are only implicit threats.

To begin the removal process, visit the topic’s support page, scroll halfway down, and click the blue Start removal request button. You will initially be asked whether you have reached out to the owners of the website. It is not necessary to do this, so you can just tap No, I prefer not to. When Google asks what you would like removed, select: Personal info, like ID numbers and private documents.

Then you can specify what type of personal information is showing up in Google Search, such as your contact details or driver’s license. These steps are only for removing results from live websites; there’s a separate form to fill out for cached pages. Check the box indicating that the content is live. The next question asks whether the request pertains to doxxing, which Google defines as “contact information being shared with malicious, threatening, or harassing intent.”

After that, Google requests your full name, country of residence, and email. You are only permitted to submit takedown requests for results pertaining to yourself or someone you officially represent.

Up to 1,000 links can be submitted at once. Google asks for the URL of the offending content or image, and the company wants you to share the search results where it shows up. For more directions on gathering these links, check out Google’s guide to finding content URLs, image URLs, and search results page URLs.

Attach a screenshot to your request showing where on the web page your personal info is appearing. Near the end of the form, you will be asked to share a list of relevant search terms, such as your full name, nickname, and maiden name. You are given the opportunity to share supplemental details before signing and submitting the removal request.

You should get a confirmation email from Google indicating that the removal request was received. It’s not clear how long it will take to review your case, but Google will let you know when it has decided to take action—or do nothing at all. The company promises brief rejection explanations and allows repeat submissions.

Google is rolling out new ways to remove personally identifiable information from search results such as phone numbers and physical addresses.

This update expands on an existing policy that allows people to request the removal of personally identifiable information that’s sensitive in nature, like bank accounts and credit card numbers.

Now, you can request the removal of any information that may compromise your privacy or put you at risk for identity theft.

Google states in an announcement:

“Under this new policy expansion, people can now request removals of additional types of information when they find it in Search results, including personal contact information like a phone number, email address, or physical address. The policy also allows for the removal of additional information that may pose a risk for identity theft, such as confidential log-in credentials, when it appears in Search results.”

To remove personal information from Google you have to fill out a request form.

In the form you’re asked to provide details about the type of information published, and answer a series of questions about why you want it removed.

Each request is evaluated against a set of criteria listed in the next section. If a request is approved, the URL will be removed from Google’s search index.

Here’s more about the types of personally identifiable information you can request to have removed from Google.

Removing Personally Identifiable Information From Google

From Google’s help document:

“Google may remove personally identifiable information (PII) that has potential to create significant risks of identity theft, financial fraud, harmful direct contact, or other specific harms. This includes doxxing, which is when your contact info is shared in a malicious way.“

You can request removal of the following types of information:

• Confidential government identification (ID) numbers like U.S. Social Security Number
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card numbers
• Images of handwritten signatures
• Images of ID docs
• Highly personal, restricted, and official records, like medical records
• Personal contact info (physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses)
• Confidential login credentials

In addition, you can request the removal of contact information if it appears alongside threats to your personal safety.

Google will only deny requests when personally identifiable information appears on a page that’s considered broadly useful, such as a news article.

Content that appears as part of the public record on government websites will not be removed either.

To begin a removal request you must fill out and submit a form to Google. Be prepared, as the form asks you to provide many details.

Google will then review the request and notify you of the action it decided to take.

It’s important to keep in mind content will still exist on the web even when it’s removed from Google.

If someone has the URL they can always visit it directly in a web browser or share it on social media.

Google’s ability to remove content is limited to search results only.

Source: Google
Featured Image: Thepana Onphalai/Shutterstock

Is Google required to remove results from its search engine if requested?

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