Q: Help remove personal info from Google search.
I would like help with removing past convictions and addresses from Google search results. I have not taken any legal action. Can you provide guidance on how I can address this issue?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
You can start by submitting removal requests directly to Google through their "Results about you" tool, which allows you to flag search results containing your personal information like addresses and phone numbers. For past convictions, check if you qualify for record expungement in your state, as removing the source information is more effective than simply addressing the search results.
Another approach is contacting the websites hosting your information directly - many public record sites have opt-out procedures that, while sometimes buried in their privacy policies, can eliminate the source of what Google displays. Creating positive online content through social media profiles or personal websites can also help push negative information further down in search results over time.
Remember that patience is key in this process, as changes to search results don't happen immediately and may require follow-up requests. If your efforts don't produce results, consulting with a privacy attorney familiar with digital rights might provide additional options based on your specific situation and local laws regarding privacy and the right to be forgotten.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
