Google Enhances User Privacy with Expanded Data Removal Tools
In observance of Safer Internet Day, Google has announced significant enhancements to its privacy tools, specifically the Results about you feature and the non-consensual explicit image removal process. These updates aim to empower users by providing more control over their personal information displayed in Google Search results.
Expanded Results about you Tool
The Results about you tool, initially designed to help users remove search results containing personal contact information such as phone numbers, email addresses, and home addresses, has now been expanded to include sensitive government-issued identification numbers. Users can request the removal of search results that display their driver’s license, passport, or Social Security numbers.
To utilize this enhanced tool, users can access it through the Google app by tapping on their Google account photo and selecting Results about you. First-time users will need to click Get started and input the personal contact information they wish to monitor, including their government ID numbers. Existing users can add their ID numbers and specify which ones they want to monitor.
Once the details are confirmed, Google will automatically monitor search results and notify users if their information appears online. It’s important to note that removing this information from Google Search does not eliminate it from the web entirely, but it does enhance personal privacy by making the data less accessible.
This update is currently rolling out in the United States and is expected to expand to additional regions in the future.
Simplified Removal of Non-Consensual Explicit Images
Google has also streamlined the process for requesting the removal of non-consensual explicit images from search results. Users can now click on the three dots next to an image, select remove result, and choose It shows a sexual image of me. This simplified process eliminates the need to report images individually, allowing users to select and submit requests for multiple images using a single form.
Additionally, users can track the status of all their removal requests within the Results about you hub, providing a centralized location for managing their privacy concerns.
Google acknowledges that removing existing content is only part of the solution. To offer added protection, the new process allows users to opt into safeguards that proactively filter out additional explicit results that might appear in similar searches.
Commitment to User Privacy
These updates reflect Google’s ongoing commitment to user privacy and safety. By expanding the Results about you tool and simplifying the removal process for non-consensual explicit images, Google aims to provide users with more control over their personal information and enhance their online safety.
As these tools continue to evolve, users are encouraged to utilize them to protect their personal information and maintain their privacy in the digital age.
