Searching for your own name online can sometimes reveal an uncomfortable amount of personal information, but a free tool from Google can help you reclaim your privacy. Consumer champion Which? has highlighted the 'Results About You' feature, a powerful and free service that allows you to request the removal of private details like your phone number and home address from Google's search listings.
How To Use Google's Free Privacy Tool
The process to protect your data is straightforward and free. You start by signing into the 'Results About You' dashboard using your existing Google account email and password. If you don't have an account, you can create one at no cost.
Once inside, the tool prompts you to enter the specific personal information you want Google to monitor and potentially remove. You can input details such as your full name, address, or phone number. From the settings screen, you also have the option to activate email notifications, which will alert you whenever Google's system finds new search results containing your specified data.
What Happens After You Submit A Request
According to Which?, it can take approximately six hours for the initial batch of web searches to be completed after you set up your profile. Google will then scour the internet and present any matching results it discovers on your personal dashboard.
If you decide to submit a formal removal request for any of the listed results, Google will review it. However, it is important to note that not all requests are automatically granted. Which? clarifies that information considered to be in the public interest or part of a legitimate news report may remain online.
Google Search can display a wide array of personal data, often pulled from public profiles on its services like YouTube. If your removal request is denied through the digital tool, you are directed to seek further support via Google's dedicated help pages for removing private information.
A Wider Warning On Digital Security
This privacy advice comes alongside other urgent technology alerts. WhatsApp users, for instance, have been warned about a new digital threat. Security researchers at Threat Fabric have identified a budding malware called 'Sturnus' that targets Android devices.
This malicious software threatens to expose the most private conversations on popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. While Sturnus is believed to be in its early development stages and has not yet infected a large number of devices, it serves as a stark reminder for all users to remain vigilant about their digital security.
