Google expands tools to let users remove sensitive data about themselves from Search

As part of Safer Internet Day initiatives, Google announced enhancements to its “Results about you” feature and improvements to its process for removing non-consensual explicit images.

The “Results about you” tool has already enabled individuals to requestthe removal of Search listings that display personal details such as phone numbers, email addresses, or home addresses. With the latest update, users can now also seek removal of results containing highly sensitive information, including driver’s license numbers, passport details, or Social Security numbers, the company said Tuesday.

Users can access the feature through the Google app by tapping their account profile image and selecting “Results about you.” First-time users must choose “Get started” and enter the contact information they wish to monitor. After that, they will be prompted to add government-issued identification numbers. Existing users can update their settings by adding these ID numbers and selecting which specific details to monitor.

Once the information is verified, Google automatically scans Search results and alerts users if their data appears. The company emphasised that removing a listing from Search does not eliminate the content from the internet; however, it can reduce the visibility of sensitive details and help protect privacy.

The updated feature is being introduced in the United States over the coming days, with plans to expand availability to additional regions at a later stage.

Google also announced a simplified process for requesting the removal of non-consensual explicit images from Search results. Users can now click the three-dot menu on an image, choose “remove result,” and then select the option indicating that it shows a sexual image of them. The system has also been streamlined to allow multiple images to be reported via a single form, rather than requiring separate submissions for each image. Additionally, users can monitor the progress of all requests within the centralised “Results about you” hub.

In a blog post accompanying the announcement, Google stated: “We understand that removing existing content is only part of the solution. For added protection, the new process allows you to opt in to safeguards that will proactively filter out any additional explicit results that might appear in similar searches.”