- You can ask Google to remove your personal information from its search results using a new form.
- Google will ask you for examples of websites where your personal data appears and then review them.
- You can ask Google to remove your phone number, address, bank details, and more.
Sometimes it seems that Google knows everything. And while this is great for finding that actor whose name you never remember, it’s a problem when your personal information gets leaked online.
Fortunately, Google now offers a form you can fill out to remove that personal information.
How to ask Google to delete your personal information
In the past, Google would only delete your personal information from the Internet if it could prove that you were at immediate risk. Now, you can ask them to delete sensitive information even if you’re not at immediate risk of identity theft or doxing.
In order for Google to take action, the information you want removed must fit into one of these categories:
- Sensitive government identification (ID) numbers, such as US Social Security number, etc.
- Bank account and credit card numbers
- Photos of your handwritten signature
- Photographs of identification documents
- Medical records and other classified information
- Personal contact information (phone numbers, home address, email addresses)
- Access credentials
- Photos of anyone under the age of 18, even if they are not explicit
If they find a website that hosts this type of information, they won’t remove the website, but they will remove it from search results, either from all search results or just from searches that include your name.
Please note that asking Google to remove your personal information does not mean that they will definitely do so. If they believe that personal information about you online does not fit into their categories, or if it has been shared through a “public record” such as a media outlet or government agency website, they may reject your request. application.
When you are ready:
one. Go to this Google support page and click on the blue Start removal request button near the bottom.
two. Use the page that appears to choose what you want Google to do with your information and where it exists. The options you must choose are:
- Remove information you see on Google Search
- In Google search results and on a website
- No, I prefer not to.
Tell Google that you want to remove information from your search results.
Google
3. Select the category in which your personal information is located. If you are trying to remove data from multiple categories, you will need to complete this form multiple times.
Four. Once you have chosen all the options, a new form will appear asking for your full name, country and email address. You will also need to provide the exact URLs of the websites where your information appears, a link to Google search that you can use to find your information, and screenshots of the information wherever it appears.
Depending on what you’re trying to remove, you may also need to provide additional information, such as your bank account details.
You will first need to find the sites that display your personal information.
Google
5. Check the box that requires your electronic signature, and then click Deliver.
As soon as you submit your application, you will receive an email notifying you that Google received it.
In the next few days, Google will review the request and ask you for more information if it needs it. Eventually, you will receive an email explaining what Google did to remove your information or why it denied your request.
If your application is denied, you can always resubmit it with more materials to support your case.