Have you ever “Googled Yourself” and surprisingly found out that you have a series of pictures up on Google Images? It’s an odd thing at best and begs the question of how did personal pictures even make it up there without you uploading any? In line with recent clamors for better online privacy and security, Google is now looking to provide kids and parents more control over how their images are used online. Those under the age of 18 will have access to a new, simplified process that requests the removal of personal pictures from Google Search Results.
Google states:
“While we already provide a range of options for people seeking to remove content from Search, we know that kids and teens have to navigate some unique challenges online, especially when a picture of them is unexpectedly available on the internet. With a newly implemented policy, anyone under the age of 18, or their parent or guardian, can now request the removal of their images from Search results, following a few simple steps. This means these images won’t appear in the Images tab or as thumbnails in any feature in Google Search.”
Request Received
For something Google related, the new process is pretty straightforward – users requesting image removal simply have to go to this link and fill in the request removal form. Users will then need to enter the actual image URL, as well as any other related URLs that include or make use of the image. Intuitively, Google will also ask for the search terms that give the image result, which you should give to the best of your knowledge in order to achieve more comprehensive removal.
Upon submitting the necessary information, Google will pretty much automate the removal process and update you on any progress. However, Google does note that removal of the image from search results does not remove the image entirely. For complete and total removal, users will still need to contact individual websites to request take down of any personal image.
The update comes in part of Google’s broader shift towards user protection, in line with evolving privacy restrictions, particularly EU laws, that seek to impart digital identity protection and prevent the misuse of personal information sourced online. Likewise, the EU’s ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ laws have forced all platforms to review and adjust their privacy policies. At the same time, US Congress is also weighing new regulations to mitigate harmful effects of online exposure of minors, which seems to be a central factor in these latest online privacy shifts.
The Wrap
It’s a bit of a contrast on how more monetization essentially increases exposure, since you will be reaching larger audiences, while at the same time more and more people opt to have stricter online privacy protection policies. While there is sure to be common ground that would allow these two factors to harmoniously coexist, initial implementation of regulatory action will almost always get in the way of pure monetary gain. Then again, personal use and business use of the internet have their respective circles, though at one point, both will coincide.
Looking at this update from a marketing perspective, what Google is doing is putting more emphasis on marketers to get explicit permission from original image owners so as to be able to use their images for whatever reason. In this way, younger users, who are more vulnerable, are also protected, avoiding instances of IP misuse, harmful forms of online abuse, and much more.
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