Google has more ‘good news’ for users who want to remove their sensitive data from search

Google has expanded its data removal tools to allow users to request the removal of search results that include driver's licences, passports, and Social Security numbers. The update expands the existing "Results about you" feature, which already allows users to remove results containing phone numbers, email addresses, and home addresses.

The tech giant announced the changes on Safer Internet Day (February 10), along with updates to its tools for removing non-consensual explicit images. Users can now access the enhanced "Results about you" tool to request the removal of search results displaying sensitive personal identification documents and government-issued numbers.The update is set to become available in the US over the next several days.

However, Google plans to expand it to other regions in the coming days.In a blog post, Google wrote, “We understand that removing existing content is only part of the solution. For added protection, the new process allows you to opt in to safeguards that will proactively filter out any additional explicit results that might appear in similar searches.”

Google Search users get new 'Results about you' features: How it works

Users can access the tool in the Google app by tapping their Google account photo and selecting "Results about you".

First-time users need to click "Get started" and add the personal contact information they want to monitor. The system will then prompt users to enter their government-issued ID numbers. Existing users can add their ID numbers and select which ones to monitor.After confirming details, Google will automatically monitor search results and notify users when it finds results containing their information. Google notes that removing this information from Search does not remove it from the web entirely, but the action can help keep information private.The company also announced changes to the process for requesting the removal of non-consensual explicit images on Search. Users can now click on the three dots on an image, select "remove result", then tap "It shows a sexual image of me." The previous requirement to report images individually has been removed, allowing users to select and submit requests for multiple images from search results using a single form. Users can track the status of all requests in one location within the "Results about you" hub.