Over the years, it has become increasingly challenging to keep personal information off the web — but thanks to Google’s updated policies, you’re now able to take more control of your online presence in search.
Google published a blog post on Wednesday, April 27, by Google Global Policy Lead for Search, Michelle Chang, explaining how and why a policy change expansion came about, plus what it means for users.
The blog post mentions that users can now request personal information — such as phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses — to be removed from search. The policy expansion also enables people under the age of 18, or their parent or guardian, to request the removal of their images from Google Search results.
But according to Google, being able to request the removal of personal information from the web for safety purposes isn’t a new feature.
For many years, people have been able to request the removal of certain sensitive, personally identifiable information from Search, per the blog post. This applies to cases of doxxing — when personal info, like addresses, are shared publicly with malicious intent — or for information like bank account or credit card numbers that could be used for financial fraud.
“The availability of personal contact information online can be jarring — and it can be used in harmful ways, including for unwanted direct contact or even physical harm. And people have given us feedback that they would like the ability to remove this type of information from Search in some cases,” the blog post read.
Now, Google is making it possible for you to protect your personal information further by allowing removal requests for additional types of information that may pose a risk for identity theft, such as confidential log-in credentials, when it appears in Search results.
Read on to learn how to take advantage of this new policy expansion from Google.