Google has started rolling out a new feature that removes personally identifiable information (PII) from search engine results pages
Google has begun implementing a new tool that should assist users in enhancing their online privacy by assisting in the removal of personally identifiable information (PII) from search engine results pages (opens in a new tab). Some Android users can tap on their profile image in the top right corner of the screen after launching the Google app. They will discover a brand-new menu item there named “Results about you.” When visitors tap on that menu item, a new page explaining how to request Google to remove personally identifiable information from search results opens in a new tab. Phone numbers, postal addresses, email addresses, and other information are included in that data.
The three-dot menu is now accessible to users who find PII by clicking on it in the top right corner of each search result. They will discover a new “Remove result” tool there. They will have to give a reason, such as “it shows my personal contact information,” “it contains illegal information,” “it’s outdated,” or “it’s outdated,” if they decide to remove it. Users can then follow Google’s eradication efforts as they develop. Three categories will be used to group their requests: “All requests,” “In progress,” and “Approved.” The new tool was first introduced by Google in May 2022 at its I/O 2022 conference, when it claimed it would be live “in the coming months.” It has already begun to roll out to some users in Europe and the US.
Additionally, it described how it determines which requests to approve and which to reject: It’s important to note that when we receive removal requests, we will evaluate all content on the web page to ensure that we’re not limiting the availability of other information that is broadly useful, for instance in news articles. And of course, removing contact information from Google Search doesn’t remove it from the web, which is why you may wish to contact the hosting site directly if you’re comfortable doing so. “