Google Update Makes it Easier For US Users to Remove Some Unwanted Search Results

In a recent move to bolster user privacy, Google announced this week the rollout of new privacy updates that allow US users to exercise greater control over the search results related to their personal information.

The tech giant unveiled a user-friendly dashboard that informs users when web results containing their contact information appear on its search engine. With this information, users can promptly request the removal of such results from Google’s search tool, as detailed by Danielle Romain, Google’s Vice President of Trust, in a blog post on Thursday.

In addition to the dashboard feature, Google also implemented a notification system that alerts users when new web results containing their contact information emerge. This proactive approach aims to provide users with added peace of mind and prompt actions if necessary.

Moreover, the privacy updates encompass provisions for individuals to request the removal of any explicit images that they no longer wish to be visible in Google’s search engine. For instance, if a user had previously uploaded explicit content to a website and later deleted it, they can now request Google to remove it from its search results if it continues to be published elsewhere without their consent.

However, this policy does not apply to content that users are commercially utilizing.

Google also simplified and updated the forms used to submit removal requests, making it more accessible for users to exercise their rights.

While these changes mark a significant step towards empowering users with more control over their private information in Google Search, it is essential to note that removing content from Google Search does not automatically remove it from the web or other search engines. Nevertheless, Google hopes that these updates will offer users a higher level of control over their private information in its search results.

Notably, Google’s privacy updates appear to be a step towards a US-version of Europe’s “right to be forgotten” laws. However, as of now, the updates primarily address personal explicit images and contact information, without venturing beyond this scope. Critics and digital privacy advocates have long pointed out the disparity between US and EU policies concerning user privacy. The EU’s “right to be forgotten” was established through a court ruling in 2014, but in 2019, the same court clarified that Google is not obligated to honor this right outside of the EU.

Despite the commendable privacy measures introduced by Google, the updates notably omit addressing the current privacy concerns surrounding generative AI, which has emerged as the latest privacy battleground in the realm of Big Tech. As the development of large language models and generative AI tools continues, users and privacy advocates are increasingly urging tech companies to provide an opt-out mechanism, allowing users to prevent their digital data from being utilized to train AI models.