What should you do if you find your personal data on Google search?

If you’ve ever Googled yourself (and let’s not pretend you haven’t!), you’re most likely going to find traces of your old social media accounts, professional information and comments you’ve added on public platforms. Nothing alarming, right? But what if you begin finding details that shouldn’t be available to everyone? Like, your contact details or residential address.

You can flag it to the concerned domain, but how does one ensure there is no other data leaked online? Google, in August this year, announced its Results About You feature that could help users manage their digital footprints. But if you’re only just learning about it, here’s what you need to know.

How to turn on Results About You

If you’re someone with a functional Google account, there are a few straightforward steps to turn on the Results About You feature for yourself.

Step 1: Open your Google account on your smartphone or laptop, and tap on your profile photo for a drop-down menu
Step 2: Tap on the Results About You option in the menu
Step 3: Once open, click on Get Started or Settings
Step 4: Enter your name and other contact details that you want Google to find online. This information can include your contact details, email addresses, nicknames and maiden name
Step 5: Once you’re done confirming the details, you can set up notifications to alert you of any activity online with any of the information that you have entered
Step 6: Google will automatically scan through the internet and come up with any instances of your personal information leaked online

And you’re set! You can receive Results About You in your mailbox, or you can check directly within the Results About You tab.

How to review and remove sensitive information about you

Once you are through setting up the feature, you can visit the tab and click on Results to Review to get started. This page will display a list of websites with your data, and you can use the blue check mark next to each instance to take action. After you click on submit request, the information will be submitted to Google for review. Based on its policy requirements, it will further be removed from search.

Google Help Centre Removal Form

Another way to raise a request is by filling out Google’s Personal Data Removal form. Fill out the necessary information mentioned on the website and add links or screenshots wherever applicable. Once you’re done, click on submit to send your report to Google. 

ALSO READ: How to protect your personal data against misuse on the dark web

While the Results About You feature is still not available to everyone, you can always visit the Help Centre to address a concern or individually report a search result when you come across it. It is essential to keep in mind that the removal of these results may take a certain amount of time. It is always advisable to keep your personal data secure by not divulging any information on a public platform.