Google is further expanding its appeal process for the removal of search listings that include personal information, with users now able to request a search index omission for web pages that list their contact information and address, among other political identifiers.
As Google explains:
“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.”
Take Me Out
This could have a range of implications, for a lot of sites, with certain social networks potentially having to reassess their listings to ensure compliance with the new rules. However, strong as they seem, these new regulations only become enforceable when raised by an individual, meaning that there are likely not a lot of updates that would need to be implemented. However, it could see certain web pages removed from Google’s Index if a case is indeed brought up.
“On Google Search, we have a set of policies that allow people to request the removal of certain content from Search, with a focus on highly personal content that, if public, can cause direct harm to people.”
The process was introduced in response to Europe’s ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ legislation implemented back in 2014. The legislation gives individuals the legal right to request search engines to delist certain results for queries related to an individual’s name. So, if there are particularly damaging search results about you popping up, which could besmirch your standing and reputation, you can request its removal. Google will then assess your submission against its de-listing criteria.
This was further expanded in 2018, when the EU implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which includes a section that gives users the ‘right to erasure’, providing additional control over the use of their private content without consent. The same regulation is what’s currently being expanded; again. This is an important element as hiding search results doesn’t erase them from the web. Google may be big, but people can still dig up hidden info if they look, which isn’t hard nowadays given the craftiness of people.
This is the latest step in Google’s gradual expansion of its data protection clauses. Google also recently implemented a new policy that enables those under 18 to request the removal of their images from the Google Search results.
The Wrap
All-in-all, Google is giving users more control over their online information, partly as a result of the EU’s increasing pressure to implement more measures on this front. However, even without this catalyst, its policies are evolving, in line with rising user expectations and broader regulatory trends.
Though the implications remain limited, for now, it’s still worth noting that this is now possible. Either way, knowledge of an existing option will help out tremendously in instances that require them.
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