Google boosts Search privacy with easier removal of sensitive content

New updates allow users to request removal of non-consensual explicit images and personal identification details, while enhanced monitoring tools proactively scan Search results and notify individuals if sensitive information appears online.

Google has introduced enhanced privacy controls in Search, enabling users to more easily remove non-consensual explicit images and sensitive personal information from search results. The update is part of the company’s broader effort to strengthen user protection and digital safety.

Under the revised system, individuals can request the removal of explicit images by selecting the three-dot menu next to a search result and choosing the relevant reporting option. Users can now flag multiple images within a single submission, simplifying what was previously a repetitive process.

Google said the new framework also includes proactive safeguards. Once a removal request is submitted, users can opt into additional protections designed to filter similar explicit content from appearing in future searches related to their name.

Expanded “Results about you” monitoring

Alongside image removal, Google has upgraded its “Results about you” feature to help users track and manage exposure of personal data such as phone numbers, addresses and identification documents. Through the Google app, users can create a monitoring profile by entering details they want the system to scan for across Search results.

If matches are detected, the platform sends alerts via email or app notifications. Users can then review the flagged links and submit removal requests directly through the dashboard. Google maintains that all personal data provided for monitoring is encrypted and handled under strict security protocols.

The tool now specifically supports requests to remove highly sensitive identification numbers, including passport details, driver’s licence information and Social Security numbers.

With these updates, Google aims to offer individuals greater control over how personal information and explicit content appear online. The company emphasized that while content removal remains complex, the expanded tools are intended to make the process more accessible, efficient and protective for users navigating digital privacy risks.