Google’s New Tools Help Users Erase Personal Info from Search Results

Google has launched new features to help people protect their personal information online, just in time for Safer Internet Day. These updates make it simpler to erase sensitive details and unwanted explicit images from Google Search results. The changes focus on two main tools: “Results about you” and the removal system for non-consensual explicit images. They aim to give users more control over what shows up when others search for them.

The “Results about you” tool was already useful for wiping out contact details like phone numbers, email addresses, or home addresses from search pages. Now, it goes further. People can request the removal of even more private info, such as driver’s license numbers, passport details, or Social Security numbers. Google shared this news in an update on Tuesday.

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Getting started is easy, especially if you use the Google app. Just tap your profile photo in the app, then pick “Results about you.” First-time users should hit “Get started” and enter their personal contact info to monitor. Next, add your government ID numbers. If you’re an existing user, simply add the ID numbers and choose which ones to track.

After you confirm everything, Google starts watching Search results automatically. It will send you alerts if it spots your info anywhere. Keep in mind, though, this only hides the info from Google’s search pages. It does not delete the content from the whole internet. Still, it makes a big difference in keeping your details safer from prying eyes.

This new feature is launching first in the United States over the next few days. Google promises to expand it to more countries soon.

Alongside this, Google is improving how users deal with non-consensual explicit images, those private photos shared without permission. Before, reporting them took more steps. Now, it’s much quicker. Spot an image in Search results? Click the three dots next to it, choose “remove result,” and select “It shows a sexual image of me.” That’s it for a single image.

Even better, you don’t have to handle one image at a time anymore. A new single form lets you pick multiple images from Search results and submit them all together. Plus, you can check the status of every request in one spot inside the “Results about you” hub. This keeps everything organized.

Google knows that just removing old images isn’t enough. In their blog post, they said, “We understand that removing existing content is only part of the solution.” To help more, the updated process offers an opt-in safeguard. Turn it on, and Google will proactively block any new explicit images that pop up in similar searches. This extra layer acts like a shield for the future.

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These tools show Google’s push to make the web safer, especially for anyone worried about identity theft or online harassment. By spotting and hiding personal data early, users can avoid scams or unwanted attention. The explicit image fixes are a lifeline for victims of revenge porn or digital abuse, cutting down the time and stress of cleanup.

Safer Internet Day highlights why this matters. With personal info everywhere online, simple tools like these empower everyday people. No one should live in fear of their details or images being exposed. Google’s rollout starts small but plans to grow, so more folks worldwide will benefit soon.

If you’re in the U.S., check your Google app now. Add your info, set up monitoring, and opt into protections. It’s a quick way to take back control. As threats evolve, updates like these remind us that tech companies can do more to protect privacy without complicating life.

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