“Results about you”: Delete the results about you in Google?
Google search results often contain personal data: photos, addresses, telephone number, e-mail, etc. This is problematic for many Internet users, especially since it is not always possible to request the deletion of this data directly from the sites concerned. Admittedly, not everyone has very fair privacy practices.
Google implemented a system a few years ago to request the removal of all such personal data (the “personal identifiable information” or PII) in the name of the “right to be forgotten”. The problem is that the process was a bit cumbersome and unknown to the general public.
On Android in beta…
However, in May 2022, Google chose to facilitate the deletion request by giving the possibility of doing it more easily and it has just integrated it in beta version into thegoogle app available on Android. Remember that this is just asking Google to remove the result from its search engine and not to remove content. As this is a novelty, it is not certain that you are already one of the lucky ones. Moreover, to our knowledge, it is not yet deployed in France. But the good news is that pretty soon, all you need to do is open Google’s Android app, tap your profile picture in the top right of the screen, and search for “Results about you” which will probably be translated as “Results about you” or something similar. This feature will teach you a little more about how to request the deletion of your PII.
Google app starts rolling out ‘Results about you’ to help remove personal information https://t.co/GPE1imUWda by @technacity
— 9to5Google (@9to5Google) September 21, 2022
Also read: Security, anonymity… How to change your IP address?
Remove this content from Google!
But there is better! If you find content about you during your research, simply select the three small dots at the top right of your search and choose “About this result” (“About this result”) and do “Remove result (“Remove this result”). You can then choose different reasons for your request:
- This result shows personal information
- This result shows a way to reach me in order to harm me
- This result shows another personal information
- This result shows illegal information (“revenge porn”, defamation, etc.)
- This result is out of date
You can then view the information that Google has about you. After providing valid proof of withdrawal, you will be able to request the deletion of the content. It’s an absolutely fantastic system, especially since you can also check the progress of your requests. Of course, you will have to be patient…
Google is starting to roll out the “Results about you” tool, which lets you request the removal of search results showing your personal information. This was announced back at I/O, but some users like @RKBDI got it today.
Screenshots credits: ralph950412 on Telegram. pic.twitter.com/MVAFt68Wju
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) September 21, 2022
