Google Expands the Options for Keeping Personal Information Private in Searches

Iesha April 29, 2022 News Leave a comment

Google has announced that users will be able to request that other categories of information, including personal contact information such as phone numbers, emails, and physical addresses, be deleted from search results.

Other information that may constitute a danger of identity theft, such as confidential log-in passwords, can also be removed under the new policy.

“Open access to information is critical,” Google said in a statement, “but so is empowering people with the tools they need to protect themselves and keep their sensitive, personally identifiable information private.”

It said, “Privacy and online safety go hand in hand. And when you’re using the internet, it’s important to control how your sensitive, personally identifiable information can be found.”

Previously, Google Search allowed users to request that highly personal information that could cause direct harm to be removed. This includes information that has been released as a result of doxxing and bank account or credit card numbers that might be used for fraud.

However, because data is increasingly appearing in unexpected locations and being utilized in novel ways, policies must change.

Personal contact information being publicly available on the internet may also be dangerous, and Google said it had received requests for the ability to erase that stuff as well.

It stated that when it gets such requests, it will review all of the content on the website to prevent reducing the availability of helpful information or public record content on government or other official websites.

“It’s important to remember that removing content from Google Search won’t remove it from the internet, so you may wish to contact the hosting site directly if you’re comfortable doing so,” it said.