Google Expands “Results About You” Tool To Remove Sensitive Data And Explicit Images From Search

Google has expanded its privacy tools to give users greater authority over how sensitive personal data appears in Search results. Through updates to the “Results About You” hub, individuals can now request the removal of additional types of confidential information, including passport numbers, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license details. Previously, the tool focused mainly on contact information such as email addresses and phone numbers.

To use the feature, users must first register the personal data they want monitored within the hub; after setup, Google’s system scans its search index for matches and sends alerts through email or the Google app when relevant content is detected. Users can then review flagged results and submit removal requests directly from the dashboard. According to Google, more than 10 million people have already used the service, and submitted data is protected with encryption and other security measures.

It is important to note that removing a listing from Google Search does not erase the content from the original website. The information may still exist online and remain accessible through direct links or other search platforms.

The update also introduces improvements to the process for reporting non-consensual explicit images. Users can now open the three-dot menu beside a result in Google Images, select the removal option, and indicate that the image is a sexual image of themselves. Multiple images can be submitted in a single request, and new safeguards aim to proactively reduce the appearance of similar content in future searches. After filing a report, users may also receive links to organizations that offer emotional and legal support.

All removal requests and their statuses can be tracked within the same privacy hub. The expanded features are scheduled to begin rolling out in the United States first, with broader international availability planned later.

Filed in Cellphones >Computers >Web. Read more about Google, Google Search and Privacy.