Google now allows you to remove your personal information from its search results
We deserve control over our personal information.
In the internet era, the idea of personal privacy is all but a myth.
With a few keystrokes just about anyone can get your home address, phone number, email, age and the names of your family members. The fact that this information is readily available puts us all in the dangerous position of being the victim of fraud, stalking and violence.
What makes the situation even worse is that our information was put online without any of our consent.
The good news is that Google just made a big change that gives us all a little more control over our personal information. On April 27, the company announced it will allow anyone to request removals of their personal information from its Search feature.
āOpen 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. Thatās why weāre updating our policies to help people take more control of their online presence in Search,ā Michelle Chang, Googleās Global Policy Lead for Search, announced on the companyās blog.
"[T]he internet is always evolvingāwith information popping up in unexpected places and being used in new waysāso our policies and protections need to evolve, too," Chang continued.
The new policy also allows people to request the removal of personal information in Search that could be used for financial fraud such as log-in credentials or account numbers.
Here\u2019s how you can remove your phone number, email and other personal information from Google search results.https://cnet.co/3y6utEaā CNET (@CNET) 1651505346
Although Googleās new policy is a step in the right direction, it doesnāt cure the problem altogether. "It's important to remember that removing content from Google Search won't remove it from the internet, which is why you may wish to contact the hosting site directly, if you're comfortable doing so," Chang said.
Do you have any personal information that pops up in Google Search that youād like to have removed?
Visit the topicās support page, scroll down and click the āStart removal requestā link. As you follow the prompts you will be able to specify the personal information that shows up in Search and will be asked to share a list of relevant search terms, such as your full name, maiden name and nickname. Youāll also be able to share supplemental details before submitting the request.
After your request is submitted, you should receive an email from Google confirming the request was received. Itās unclear how long the removal process will take.
Googleās new policy changes come during a surge in online fraud. The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost $5.8 billion to scammers in 2021, a jump of 70% from the previous year.
A big portion of fraud is committed through online scams as well as identity theft and telephone solicitations.
In an attempt to give the FTC more power to fight back against fraud, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, chair of the Commerce Committee, will introduce legislation this week to make it easier for the Committee to sue deceptive companies and scammers.
āIf the FTC remains disarmed of this critical authority, millions of consumers and small businesses whoāve been scammed, swindled, or locked out of competitive marketplaces will never be made whole,ā Cantwell said in a statement.
This article originally appeared on 05.03.22