Google expands tools to let users remove sensitive data about themselves from Search

As portion of Safer Internet Day, Google unveiled updates to its “Results astir you” and non-consensual explicit representation removal tools.

The “Results astir you” instrumentality already allows users to region Search results containing their telephone number, email address, oregon location address, and it tin present besides beryllium utilized to petition the removal of results that see accusation specified arsenic a driver’s license, passport, oregon Social Security number, the institution said successful the update Tuesday.

You tin entree the instrumentality successful the Google app by tapping your Google relationship photograph and selecting “Results astir you.” If it’s your archetypal clip utilizing the tool, you request to click “Get started” and past adhd the idiosyncratic interaction accusation you privation to monitor. You’ll past beryllium prompted to adhd your authorities ID numbers. Existing users tin adhd their ID numbers and prime which ones they privation to monitor.

Once you’ve confirmed your details, Google volition automatically show Search results and notify you if it finds results that incorporate your information. Google notes that removing this accusation from Search doesn’t region it from the web entirely, but that doing truthful tin assistance support your accusation private.

Image Credits:Google

The update is rolling retired successful the U.S. implicit the coming days. Google plans to bring it to further regions successful the future.

The tech elephantine besides announced that it’s making it easier to petition the removal of non-consensual explicit images connected Search. Now, users conscionable person to click connected the 3 dots connected an image, prime “remove result,” past pat “It shows a intersexual representation of me.” Additionally, you nary longer request to study images 1 by one, arsenic you tin present prime and taxable requests for aggregate images from Search results utilizing a azygous form. Users tin besides way the presumption of each requests successful 1 spot wrong the “Results astir you” hub.

“We recognize that removing existing contented is lone portion of the solution,” Google wrote successful its blog post. “For added protection, the caller process allows you to opt-in to safeguards that volition proactively filter retired immoderate further explicit results that mightiness look successful akin searches.”