Use Google's 'Results about you' tool: This tool helps you find and request removal of personal contact information like your phone number, address, or email from Google Search results
Submit a personal information removal request: For more sensitive data, such as government IDs, financial details, or non-consensual intimate imagery, Google provides a specific form to request removal
Contact the website owner directly: The most effective method is to reach out to the website hosting the information and ask them to remove it. Once removed from the source, Google's index will update
Delete or secure social media profiles: Review your social media accounts. Delete any unused profiles or adjust your privacy settings to limit public visibility. Less shared info means less for search engines to find
Address outdated content and caches: If information has been removed from a live webpage but still appears in Google's cached results, use the 'remove outdated content' tool. You will need the specific URLs
Request removal for doxxing content: Google has a policy for content shared with malicious intent, such as doxxing. If your personal information is used to threaten or harass you, submit a request under this policy
Leverage legal removal requests: If the content violates laws (e.g., defamation, copyright) or privacy regulations (like the 'Right to be Forgotten' in Europe), you can submit a legal removal request through Google's Legal Help Center
Monitor your online presence regularly: Periodically search for your name and other identifying information on Google. This proactive step helps you discover new instances of your data and take action promptly
Consider data removal services: For a more comprehensive approach, specialized data removal services can help identify and request the removal of your personal information from various data broker sites and public databases