Now Google allows you to remove some data from its research results: it is not a way to unsubscribe from the web, but it is useful to make yourself less traceable.
Raise your hand who has never sought their name on Google at least once to see how many (and what) results they are produced. You can remain impressed by the volume of the information on your account, to the point that, in the past – in order to raise awareness of people on the danger of not taking care of their own Privacy online – numerous journalistic investigations have been conducted that have shown how easy it is to find information on an inattentive user: from telephone number (abused by the telemarketing network) tohome addressup to news about tastes and interests that throat to the world of advertising.
Sensitive data. If this idea may appear disturbing, there is good news. Google offers tools to remove an avalanche of data from its search results. It is not a question of being erased from the web, a more complex job, but of a first step useful to make yourself less traceable.
Google allows, in fact, to Remove personal information which could expose us to risks such as, in addition to the aforementioned telephone and address, also banking data, digital signatures and even medical documents. It can also request the removal of obsolete links or content published without one’s consent, although not everything can be canceled. If, for example, your name appears within a news article or in a post by a public forum, Google will not intervene, as the goal of the tool made available is Protect privacy, not to rewrite or censor public information.
Online request. Start the procedure – currently available only in English – it is very simple. Just just look for your name on Google, click on the three dots next to the unwanted result and select the wording “Request Removals“At this point the reason for the request must be specified: eliminate a sensitive data, correct incorrect information or remove obsolete content.
Alternatively, waiting for the direct service to be made available for the Italian version, you can directly access the Google support page and click on “Start request for removal”. A form will guide the user step by step. It is necessary to know, however, that If the removal is required for a legal violation, such as a case of defamation or copyright infringement, the process will be a little longer.
What happens. After sending the request, Google will update us via email on the outcome of the process.
If a case is accepted, within a few days the result will no longer be visible. Be careful, though: This does not mean that information will disappear from the web. The data will remain on the domain that hosts them, so those who know the link can still find them, even if they will not appear in a future search on the engine used – According to the latest estimates of January 2025 – from 81.95% of users in the world.
For a definitive removal of your data you will have to contact the site directly, although Being able to end up outside the radar is already a first step that helps us to protect privacy and to make our presence online much more discreet.
