Google’s Latest Tool Empowers Users to Manage and Erase Personal Search History

In an effort to assuage users’ privacy concerns, Google is launching new tools that will assist users in managing and erasing search results containing false information, undesirable contact information, and copyright violations.

KEY FACTS

• Google’s new tool will compile search results about users in a personalized interface, allowing them to keep watch, be notified when new information appears on search, and request removal of results.
• According to the company, the procedure for erasing personal information has been simplified for instances such as false information, undesirable contact information such as an address or phone number, and copyright violations.
• For other instances of inaccurate or objectionable content, users may submit a removal request to Google.
• In addition, Google announced today that it will introduce a new tool for parents to obscure explicit images from search results for their children.

CONTRA

The new tool, which is currently only available in the United States and in English, does not truly expunge information from the internet; rather, it prevents it from appearing in search results. Google advised users to contact the website that published objectionable information about them to request its removal.

KEY BACKGROUND

Americans are increasingly concerned about the privacy practices of large technology platforms. According to a 2019 Pew Research study, over 80% of Americans believe that the potential risks they face due to data collection by corporations outweigh the benefits they receive from signing up for different platforms. In recent years, concerns about specific platforms have only grown: A recent Pew study found that by May 2023, the majority of Americans viewed TikTok, which is owned by China-based ByteDance, as a threat to U.S. national security. Contrary to what CEO Shou Zi Chew swore under oath to the U.S. Congress, TikTok spied on the location of a Forbes journalist last October, and Forbes has since exclusively reported that some American TokTok creators’ user data was stored in China.

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Source: Forbes