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Google has started allowing users to request removal of search results containing private information such as home addresses, phone numbers, emails. This is Google's latest move to assert its stance on privacy amidst...
Google announces the expansion of its global information removal policy based on user demands and the enhancement of standards regarding potential risks of disclosing individuals' detailed information.
Michalle Chang, head of Google Search's global policy department, stated: 'Our research indicates that there is a significant amount of personally identifiable information that users consider sensitive. They increasingly do not want this data to appear online.'
Under previous policy, Google only accepted requests to remove websites sharing personal information along with certain types of threatening content or payment information such as links to bank accounts, credit card numbers, and medical records. Google also allowed removal of results leading to unwanted adult content and in Europe, inaccurate, incomplete, irrelevant, or outdated personal information could also be removed. Last year, Google added a policy allowing removal of images of minors.
According to the new policy, Google, you will be able to request removal of the following types of information:
- Government-issued personal identification numbers (IDs) such as U.S. Social Security numbers, South Korean resident registration numbers, etc.
- Your personal information is visible on Google Search. There are clear or potential threats present; or there is the presence of explicit or implied calls to action to harm/harass you.
Under the previous policy, Google received tens of thousands of requests to remove personal information each year but only approved 13% of these requests. Michalle Chang hopes the expanded policy will increase the approval rate.Chang stated that when considering removal requests under the personal contact information policy, Google aims to maintain the availability of data for public interest. Google will not delete information appearing as part of a public record on government websites or official sources.For each request, Google typically processes within a few days. Google also notes that the information you request to remove, even though it may disappear from Google, may still appear when searched using other search engines or directly from a hosted website.Source: Reuters
