Google Can Now Remove Even More Of Your Sensitive Data From Search Results

A person using Google Search on a laptop.
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Google launched a "Results about you" privacy and security feature for Google Search a few years ago, a tool that lets you request the removal of personal data from search results, which can come in handy when information like your phone number and email address end up online. On Tuesday, Google announced new features for Results about you, to mark Safer Internet Day, that will let users remove even more sensitive data from Google Search results than before. Google unveiled two separate initiatives that both expand the usefulness of Results about you. First, Google will help users remove documents that may have leaked online, including your driver's license, passport, or Social Security number. Second, Google will help users remove non-consensual explicit images from Google Search results in a simpler way than before.

Like before, it's important to remember that Google will not remove the actual content from the web, whether it's a stolen ID that someone may use to impersonate you, or explicit images someone shared online. However, Google will prevent the web pages containing that potentially harmful information from showing up in Google Search results. That's still a useful tool to have on hand when dealing with potential cyberattacks. Google said in a blog post that over 10 million people have used the Results about you tool to request removal of Search results that contain personal data. The new features build on the foundation that Google has already developed.

By Chris Smith

Full story at Yahoo News