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How Australians can erase their personal data from Google using its latest privacy tool

You can use Google’s ‘Results About You’ feature to remove your phone number, email and address from search

Melissa Woodley
Written by
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
Google app icon on phone
Photograph: Brett Jordan via Pexels
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When was the last time you did a bit of sneaky self-stalking online? Besides digging up those awkward teenage selfies, you might stumble upon personal info you’d rather keep off the web. To help Aussies play digital detective, Google has rolled out a new privacy tool that lets users control what shows up about them online.

Launched in May, Google’s ‘Results About You’ tool allows Australians to see how they show up in search results and then request the removal of personal details, such as their mobile number, email address, home address and bank details. You can also opt-in to receive notifications if new results with your personal details pop up, so you can have them scrapped from Google search pronto. 

Initially launched in the United States in 2022, the ‘Results About You’ feature aims to prevent doxxing, financial fraud and cybercrime. And there’s no harm in giving it a crack – who knows what you might uncover?

It’s important to note that removing a result from Google search results doesn’t erase it from the Internet. Anyone searching for your contact information may still be able to find it through the original web page or other search engines. You’ll need to go the extra mile and directly contact the hosting site if you want those deets completely removed. However, using Google’s ‘Results About You’ is a great first step. Give it a crack here.

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