8 steps for removing personal data from Google search results

Almost everyone fears that their personal information will be available on the internet forever. They say the internet never forgets. However, some people fear their personally identifiable information being available at the reach of a Google search.

If the internet never forgets, how can we make it forget? Do we perform an assault on the web? Do we request the removal of our personal contact information from the web? Indeed, we deserve more control over our data.

Google has received thousands of requests in the past decade, and finally, they have created policies that allow the removal of personal data from its search engine.

Recently, the search engine company announced the creation of new policies and features to aid users in speedily requesting the removal of personally identifiable information such as phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, and even medical records.

Michelle Chang, Google’s global policy lead for search, made a statement on how access to personal contact information online can lead to harmful occurrences – including unwanted direct contact and even physical harm.

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In times past, users had to display proof of likely harm, such as identity theft and open access to bank account information causing financial fraud. Now, as soon as they receive removal requests from users, they grant them readily.

At the end of this article, you will know how to request Google to remove your data from search results.

What information can I request for removal from Google’s search results?

Google policies and tools will allow the removal of personally identifiable information private to you from its search engine. Google has been empowering people to remove personal data such as:

• Phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, and other forms of personal contact information.
• Links to explicit content such as personal sensual images and videos.
• Websites displaying malicious pornography related to your info.
• Data that result in identity theft, such as bank account numbers.
• Links to confidential records such as medical records
• Personal websites account information such as passwords and login details.

How do I remove personal information from Google Search?

There are a series of steps you have to go through to remove links to your info:

• Firstly, you must submit a request that includes the addresses of sites containing the information and the web page(s) that bring up such links.
• Google will provide the option of “Removing the Information you see in Google search” and the “information you see in Google’s search results and on a website.”
• There is an option to contact the website host, but you can decline by selecting “No, I prefer not to contact the host.”
• When Google offers the option of the search results you want to remove, select the “Personal info” option. This feature will remove your personal information, such as personal contact information and home address.
• Google asks if your information is “being shared on these searches with malicious intent or if it requires removal for legal reasons,” select “Yes.”
• It is advisable to provide additional data concerning the information, such as screenshots of search results and other information.
• You can file up to 1000 site URLs at once.
• The last step is to fill in the signature form at the end of Google’s search result removal form.

After you’ve gone through these steps listed above and signed the form, Google will proceed to examine your request and note if taking off your info might hamper public information. In cases such as news articles or blog posts, Google won’t remove information considered a public record.

Google will send you a notification of the search engine company’s action. If the context of your requests depends on a complete erasure, Google may remove links from all search results or only search results that contain your name.

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Conclusion

Clearing your personal information from Google search results has been made easy. The company has provided specific tools tailor-made to handle your personally identifiable information that may appear on a web page in harmful ways. Such cases require removal requests with an easy process.

However, the company cannot remove your personal information on the internet altogether. Its fundamental goal is to prevent those pages from showing up on Google searches. Google receives numerous removal requests and handles them according to their context. The only step you need to take is to request the removal of personal information.

At this point, you know the process required if you find searches involving your personal information online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding removing your personal information when it appears in search results:

Do other search engines offer removal requests?

Yes, other search engines such as Yahoo and Bing offer tools and features to help your remove the information that appears in search results. This process protects your privacy and prevents access to your records. They all receive these requests and take steps to safeguard your privacy.

Can Google completely erase my info on the internet?

No, Google can’t completely erase your personal information. The search engine company can only remove Google search results that display your data. This information remains on websites and social media pages. To remove your personal information altogether, you will have to contact the websites hosting your information.

After sending a removal request, what extra steps can I take clear my information from Google?

You need to know that the Google page isn’t the only host of your data; your phone number, email, or physical address might be on another site. Google also collects your data from your use of:

• Google Play Store (Apps you download)
• YouTube (The videos you watch)
• Google Maps (Your routes and physical address)

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To ensure you secure the privacy of your data on Google’s applications, follow these steps:

• Learn about your privacy rights.
• Safeguard your content on the Google services you use.
• Erase your web history.
• Put off your suggestion history feature in Chrome Browser.

What tips do I need to know on securing my privacy online?

Here are some valuable tips that can help you manage your privacy online:

• Browse the internet in Private/Incognito mode.
• Restrict the amount of personal information you share on social media.
• Make use of an efficient antivirus software package.
• Always avoid shady links (To prevent phishing).