Google’s Policy Update allows Users to Request for Removal of Personal Data from its Search Results

Google has updated its policies to enable people to request the removal of sensitive, personally-identifiable information — including contact information, like a phone number, email address, or home address — from Search.

When you’re searching on Google and find results about you that contain your phone number, home address, or email address, you’ll be able to quickly request their removal from Google Search — right as you find them. With this new tool, you can request removal of your contact details from Search with a few clicks, and you’ll also be able to easily monitor the status of these removal requests.

Google’s VP Trust, Danielle Romain said, “It’s important to note that when we receive removal requests, we will evaluate all content on the web page to ensure that we’re not limiting the availability of other information that is broadly useful, for instance in news articles. And of course, removing contact information from Google Search doesn’t remove it from the web, which is why you may wish to contact the hosting site directly, if you’re comfortable doing so.

“At Google, we strongly believe in open access to information, and we also have a deep commitment to protecting people — and their privacy — online. These changes are significant and important steps to help you manage your online presence — and we want to make sure it’s as easy as possible for you to be in control.”

This feature will be available in the coming months in the Google App, and you’ll also be able to make removal requests by going to the three dots next to individual Google Search results. In the meantime, you can make requests to remove your info from our support page.