As of late, Google has been gradually rolling out a new feature that will assist users in protecting their privacy on the internet by hiding sensitive information from search engine results.

Some Android users can access their profile pictures directly from the Google app by tapping the profile picture in the upper right corner of the screen. A new selection titled “Results about you” has been added to the menu. When you click that link, you’ll be taken to a new page that explains how to submit a request to have Google hide your personal information from its search results. Information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses are included.

Users who come across PII can now access additional options by selecting the ellipsis (three dots) in the top right of each search result. They’ll find the brand-new “Remove result” option there. A user must provide an explanation for removing content, such as “it displays my personal contact information,” “it contains illegal information,” or “it is outdated.”

Rollout Progressing At A Glacial Pace

The removal process can be monitored by the user as Google works to eradicate the offending content. Their requests will be organised into three groups: “All requests,” “In progress,” and “Approved.”

While Google promised the new feature would be available “in the coming months” during its I/O 2022 conference in May 2022, it has only recently begun rolling out to users in Europe and the United States.

It also detailed its decision-making process for approving or rejecting requests: “It’s important to note that when we receive removal requests, we will evaluate all content on the web page to ensure that we’re not limiting the availability of other information that is broadly useful, for instance in news articles. And of course, removing contact information from Google Search doesn’t remove it from the web, which is why you may wish to contact the hosting site directly, if you’re comfortable doing so.”