Google Can Find And Remove Your Personal Data Online: Here's How To Use It

Often, personal information of users such as their name, address, phone number, or email address may be found in Google's search results. Google's new feature, still under development, is designed to help users protect their privacy and make it more difficult for others to find their personal information online.

Unsplash

What does the feature do?

To use the new feature, users can visit the "Results About You" page in their Google Account. There, they can add their personal information and choose to be notified by email or push notification whenever Google finds it in search results.

Once a user has enabled the feature, Google will periodically scan the web for their personal information. If Google finds any results that match the user's information, it will send the user a notification. The user can then choose to have Google remove the result from search results or leave it as is.

Google's new feature is different from its existing (also new) "Remove this result" tool in a few ways. First, the new feature is proactive. It automatically searches for the user's personal information and sends them notifications whenever it finds it. The "Remove this result" tool, on the other hand, requires users to manually submit a request to have a specific result removed.

Unsplash

Second, the new feature is more comprehensive. It can detect a wider range of personal information, including phone numbers and email addresses. The "Remove this result" tool is currently only able to detect a limited set of personal information, such as names and addresses.

Google's new feature is a welcome addition to its suite of privacy tools. It gives users more control over their personal information and makes it more difficult for others to find it online.

How to enable the feature?

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to enable the new feature:

1. Go to the "Results About You" page in your Google Account.
2. Click on the "Get started" button.
3. Add your personal information, such as name, address, phone number, and email address.
4. Choose whether you want to be notified by email or push notification.
5. Click on the "Next" button.
6. Review your information and click on the "Confirm" button.

Pexels

Once you've enabled the feature, Google will start scanning the web for your personal information. You'll receive a notification whenever Google finds a result that matches your information. Currently, the feature is rolling out to select adult users in the US, with global release imminent. Click here for more how-to guides. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.