Google has launched an update to its Results about you tool, designed to strengthen user control over personal information that appears in search results. This feature, available since 2022, now allows users to request the removal of sensitive data such as driver's license numbers, passports, and social security numbers, in addition to phone numbers, email addresses, and home addresses
More options to protect personal data
The update makes it easy for any user to add official identification information directly from the Google app. The process consists of tapping on the profile photo, selecting Results about you, and following the assistant to add names, aliases, phone numbers, email addresses, and identification numbers. The system automatically monitors search results and notifies the user if any of this data appears.
Additionally, there is the option to receive email alerts each time the presence of personal data is identified in search results. Google warns that removing information from the results does not imply its total disappearance from the internet, but it does make public access from the search engine more difficult
New measures against non-consensual explicit images
Among the new features, Google has improved the procedure for removing non-consensual explicit images. Users can select images directly in the results, click the three dots in the corner of each image, choose to remove result, and mark the corresponding option if it is unauthorized sexual content. The process allows selecting and sending requests for multiple images at once through a single form.
All requests can be managed from the About You results control center, where the status of each request is reviewed. In addition, new options have been included to activate proactive filters that automatically block the appearance of similar explicit results in future searches.
Tool availability and security
The update is already available in the United States and its arrival in other regions is expected soon. The tool uses advanced security protocols and robust encryption to protect sensitive data managed.
The company maintains that these measures seek to give users greater control over their personal information, in a context where digital privacy is a growing concern in Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona and the rest of the territory