Google has bowed under the pressure and has chosen to create a website that will allow Europeans the right to be forgotten. With this website now in place, the search giant has been flooded with removal requests, and we're sure Google is not happy about the position it's now in.
Earlier this month, the European top court ruled that citizens can now ask search engines to remove content they deem to be infringing on their privacy rights, inadequate, or irrelevant. The ruling caused a shock wave to be sent through the industry, but Google is the main company that will feel the pinch from this new ruling.
On the new website, Europeans must list their names, and the web address they want removed from search results that might contain personal information. Furthermore, it is required that users issue identification and tell explain to Google how the linked page is related to them.
Google's requirements:
(a) Provide the URL for each link appearing in a Google search for your name that you request to be removed. (The URL can be taken from your browser bar after clicking on the search result in question).
(b) Explain, if not clear, why the linked page is about you (or, if you are submitting this form on behalf of someone else, the person named above).
(c) Explain how this URL in search results is irrelevant, outdated, or otherwise inappropriate.
Google is not required to remove every link requested by Europeans. According to the search giant, if there is a public interest in the information, chances are Google won't bow to pressure and have it removed. Nude images and anything that is deemed private or outdated shouldn't be a problem to the big G.
So far, thousands of Europeans have requested data to be removed from Google's search engine. On the first day itself, at least 12,000 requests for removal of data/link were made. We understand that 40 percent of that number comes from Germany and 13 percent from the UK, says Google.. So far, 31 percent of all requests are linked to fraud and scams.
Bear in mind that the web form only applies to Google's search engine angle in Europe, and has nothing to do with the United States. Information Google collects in the U.S. is protected by the second amendment.
