Friday, February 14, 2025

Google Lets Users Remove Sexually Explicit Photos from Search Results

Share

 

 

Google implemented a fresh policy on Thursday, enabling individuals to request the removal of their personal sexually explicit photos from the search results. This update is part of Google’s broader efforts to grant users greater control over the content related to them that appears on its widely-used search engine.

Danny Sullivan, Google’s public liaison for search, explained that this feature is just one of the initiatives taken to empower people in managing their online experiences. Nevertheless, there is a caveat to this removal policy; explicit images can only be taken down if the user has not actively commercialized them.

Previously, Google allowed individuals to request the removal of explicit images shared without their consent. In addition to this, the company unveiled a new dashboard aimed at tracking instances where a person’s personal contact information is displayed in search results. With this tool, users can easily monitor and request the removal of such data from Google search results. The dashboard will promptly alert users when new search results containing their contact information appear.

Initially available in English to users in the United States, Google is working on expanding the tool to more regions and adding support for additional languages.

Another significant announcement is that Google will automatically blur explicit images in search results for all users globally. This measure was first mentioned in February during Safer Internet Day and aims to safeguard families from unintentionally encountering adult, graphic, or violent content in their searches.

According to Sullivan, this blurring feature aligns with Google’s principle of avoiding shocking or surprising users with unexpected content.

In the past, Google introduced a tool called “Results about you,” enabling users to request the removal of personal contact information, such as phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses, from search results.

Google

Over the years, Google has been progressively expanding the scope of information users can request to be removed from search results. Initially, users could only request removal of personal information like credit card numbers and government-issued IDs that were used maliciously for doxxing purposes.

You can also read: Twitch Expands Ban on Gambling Livestreams to Safeguard Community

However, Google does enforce policy requirements and can reject removal requests, particularly if the information is professional rather than personal or if it was originally posted on a government or educational webpage. It’s important to note that the company removes information solely from its search results and not from the original sources.

Follow Us On Social Media:
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
Twitter

Read more

All Catagories