Khaberni - Google announced an important update to its privacy tools on the search engine, aimed at giving users more control over personal information that may appear in search results.
This announcement was part of the activities of Safe Internet Day, which highlights the protection of users online.
In the past, the “Results about you” tool allowed users to request the removal of search results containing basic data such as phone numbers, email addresses, or residential addresses from the search results.
Now, the tool supports requests to remove more types of sensitive information such as driver's license numbers, passport numbers, and social security numbers, representing a strong addition in the field of digital identity protection.
Users can access this tool through their Google app, by clicking on the Google account image and then choosing Results about you.
For the first time, the user will be asked to enter the information they want to monitor, such as their government ID numbers, and then Google will monitor the relevant search results and inform them when they appear. Although removing this information from search results does not mean it is completely deleted from the internet, it greatly helps in reducing the chances of its exploitation or exposure to the public.
In addition to textual data, Google has made improvements in the tool for removing explicit images from search results, where it is now possible to delete more than one image at a time through a unified request form rather than reporting each image individually.
The company has also added an option for preventative filters that can be activated to hide results of a bold nature in future search operations, providing an additional step toward protecting the user.
A single tool
Google allows users to track the status of requests for removal of any data or images through a central hub, the Results about you hub, which facilitates the process of managing and eliminating the appearance of personal information.
This can be done through the Google app or through alerts that reach the user when new results containing their data appear.
Google clarified that it will continue to enhance privacy tools and enable individuals to control their digital identity amid growing concerns about data leaks and unwanted content online.
