Google is making a significant update to its search engine to provide users with more control over their personal information and to remove non-consensual explicit imagery from search results. The announcement was made by Danielle Romain, the Vice President of Trust at Google, who emphasized the importance of privacy and user control.
The feature to request the removal of personal contact information, such as phone numbers, home addresses, and emails, has been available for almost a year. However, it has now been updated to provide a more seamless experience for users. Users can access this tool through the Google app or Search and will be alerted when their personal information appears in search results. They can then promptly request its removal through the tool.
To further enhance user control, Google will be rolling out a new dashboard that notifies users if web results with their contact information are showing up in search. This will provide added peace of mind and allow users to request the removal of those results directly from the tool. Additionally, users will be notified if new results containing their contact information appear in search.
However, it is important to note that removing content from Google Search does not remove it from the web or other search engines. Google’s aim is to give users more control over their private information appearing in search results, but it cannot control the availability of such information on other platforms.
When evaluating removal requests, Google will carefully assess the content on the web page. It aims to strike a balance between user privacy and the availability of information that is broadly useful, such as news articles. Content that appears as part of the public record on government or official sources will not be removed.
To access this feature in the Google app, users can click on their Google account photo and select “Results about you” or visit the dedicated URL provided by Google. Currently, this tool is only available in the United States and in English. However, Google plans to expand language support and availability to other locations in the future.
In addition to removing personal contact information, Google is also granting users the ability to request the removal of personal explicit images from search results. If users have created and uploaded explicit content to a website but have since deleted it, they can now request its removal from search if it is being published elsewhere without their approval. However, it is important to note that this policy does not apply to content that users are currently commercializing.
This update from Google signifies its commitment to user privacy and control over personal information. By empowering users to remove personal contact information and non-consensual explicit imagery from search results, Google aims to provide a safer and more secure online experience. As the company continues to enhance its privacy tools, users can expect further improvements and expanded support in the future.