Google updates process for removing personal data from search
Google has simplified the process of removing personal information from search results (photo: Pexels)
Google has announced that it is updating its Results About You tool to make it easier to protect and remove personal information from search results. The company said it has improved the registration process and simplified the submission of removal requests directly from Google Search, reports TechCrunch.
This tool allows you to proactively track and remove, for example, a phone number, email address, or physical address from search results.
With the latest update, users can now click on the three dots next to a Google search result to open an updated menu that allows them to immediately request removal through the “Remove this results” option.
Previously, you had to go to the Results About You tool, which was hidden in your Google account settings.
photo: Google
Additionally, users can now use the three-dot menu to request an update to their information.
For example, if you have removed content about yourself from your website and the search results have not yet been updated, you can request an update so that Google's systems “recrawl” the page and get the latest information.
To use this feature, you must fill out a form with your contact information so that Google can verify that it matches the data on the search results page. You can choose to receive notifications if Google finds results with your information.
The company notes that your information is not used to personalize your experience on other Google services and is not shared with third parties.
The feature is currently available to users in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, France, Sweden, Thailand, India, and Indonesia.
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