By John Ikani
Google has unveiled a set of new search updates aimed at empowering users to take charge of their personal information, privacy, and online safety.
Building on the success of last year’s ‘result about you tool,’ these fresh enhancements enable users to monitor their personal contact information in Search and receive alerts if it appears on the web, allowing them to promptly request its removal.
To access this tool, users can head to the Google app, click on their Google account photo, and choose “Results about you,” or simply visit the ‘Results about you’ website.
Furthermore, Google has streamlined the process of removing personal, explicit images from Search, putting users in greater control of their online presence.
In addition, the search giant is simplifying the discovery of parental controls directly within the Search platform.
By entering relevant queries like “Google parental controls” or “Google family link,” users will find a box with information on managing their parental controls.
While initially available in the U.S. and English, Google has plans to expand these tools to new languages and countries worldwide.
In a blog post, Danielle Romain, Google’s Vice President of Trust, introduced the upcoming “new dashboard” that will notify users if web results containing their contact information appear on Search.
The dashboard will enable quick requests for removing such results directly from Google using the tool.
Also, Google will send users notifications when new web results with their contact information emerge on Search, providing them with added peace of mind.
Earlier this year, Google introduced an essential safeguard to protect users and their families from stumbling upon explicit imagery in Search.
Now, explicit content, like adult or graphic violent materials, will be automatically blurred by default in Search results.
The SafeSearch blurring setting will be rolled out to all users globally this month, allowing them to adjust the settings or disable them unless they are restricted by guardians or school network administrators.
As part of its commitment to user safety and control, Google has facilitated easy access to parental controls.
A simple search for terms like ‘google parental controls’ or ‘Google family link’ will yield information on managing parental controls.
It’s crucial to note that removing content from Google Search doesn’t erase it from the web or other search engines.
However, Google’s comprehensive suite of updates aims to equip users with greater authority over their private information displayed on Google Search, fostering a safer and more secure online environment.
