The internet has become a hub for people worldwide to learn, connect, and explore. Through their constant presence online, everyone leaves behind a surprising amount of personal information that is just one Google search away. From addresses and phone numbers to more sensitive data such as court records, it can all be easily found if left unchecked. The worst part is that all of this data can be used in many malicious ways.
As a result, this has created a need to take control of your data and regain your digital privacy. Thankfully, users have clear steps that they can take to limit exposure and even take action when their data is out there.
The best way to remove personal info from Google and take control of your data is through data removal tools. While helpful, they're just temporary fixes—not complete solutions.
Instead, they should complement your data privacy strategy as you prevent how data ends up in search results and manage it effectively.
Why Your Personal Data Shows Up in Google Search
Google works by storing and indexing content that is publicly available anywhere online. The service doesn’t host the information itself but allows it to be searchable. This range includes everything from social media profiles to blog posts or directory listings on other platforms.
Effectively, if a website is publicly accessible, Google’s web crawlers can find and index its content, including your personal data.
This is how most personal data ends up online without the knowledge of the owner, as it is not always clear what will be shared. Most platforms, such as forums, job search sites, real estate services, and so many others, have unique privacy settings tied to their service.
By not securing your data through these settings or through data breaches, information gets ‘’leaked’’ and placed on the greater web.
Another prominent issue in the space is data brokers, who further amplify the issue by collecting personal information to sell to marketers and other businesses.
This often creates situations where even if you take down the original source, your personal data could be stored at data brokers or cached in Google’s search result snippet. If this is the case, the only way to take optimal control of your data is to utilize data removal tools.
The Risks of Having Personal Info on Google
For most people, their first reaction to a data leak isn't their main worry. This is because most are unaware of the many potential real-world consequences you can face. One of the most prominent and dangerous risks is identity theft.
In some cases, malicious actors can piece together your full personal data in an attempt to impersonate you online and access your accounts.
This is extremely dangerous as it can result in significant issues that can cause many problems for individuals. There is also the issue of harassment and harm to your professional image.
In the case that hackers gain access to your social media accounts, they can harm your reputation amongst peers and even impact your work life.
In the most extreme cases, individuals have been doxxed, an act where private information is posted online on forums with malicious intent. All of this is just the tip of the iceberg of why you should take your personal data and its removal seriously.
How to Request Removal of Your Info from Google
Google, unlike most other companies online, has a straightforward way for individuals to request data removal. Data such as home addresses, phone numbers, images, or any other personal information can be removed.
The process is done through the Google removal request form that involves submitting URLs that contain your personal information and explaining the issue. Based on the case, you might need to provide proof of the person to complete the request.
However, this process is still not the best as not all requests are approved, and the process is very time-consuming.
Additionally, Google doesn’t remove the data from the source website; it only makes it harder to find via Google. As such, data removal tools are the best option as they tackle the problem at the root. They are also easy to use and will save a lot of time compared to manual data removal.
What to Expect After Data is Removed
After you undergo the process of removing data from Google and data broker sites, you would have only patched the issue temporarily. You might not see the results immediately after successful data removal, as it takes time for Google to recrawl and update its index.
Only after this occurs will the date be permanently removed. If the data appears once again, this means that it was shared or archived by another broker.
This means that to truly have data privacy, you need to consistently work to remove and take control of your data. Additionally, you should always opt out of data broker platforms and update your privacy settings on all accounts.
This will minimize the amount of data online, which significantly reduces exposure. So, maintain vigilant and regularly perform privacy checkups while empowering yourself with the needed tools to take back control of your digital life.
By Anders Frost
Editor-in-Chief, Pley Media Group
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