How to remove your name from Google

There are different ways you can remove your name from Google search results. The most appropriate way to go about removing your name from Google would depend on the nature of the information that is being posted and the platform which hosts it.  You may remove your name from Google if your name is linked to data which is either defamatory or which is in breach of any law.

Remove your name from Google because your name is linked to defamatory content

Remove your name from Google because your name links to private information

Remove your name from Google under data protection laws

Remove your name from Google where your name is linked to unwanted images or videos

Remove your name from Google because your name is linked to defamatory content

Usually, Google will not object to having your name removed from search results, if the article in question, or if the snippets that show on the search result are defamatory. Whilst Google is not in position to decide what is defamatory and what is not, it is your responsibility to substantiate your claim of defamation and you can do so either by showing that the search results that Google presents are defamatory, or that they are highly inaccurate, in accordance with data protection laws.

In some cases, you will be able to remove your name from Google because a search for your name brings up search results that are in fact refer to somebody else. It is possible, for example, that if you share your name with a notorious criminal, Google will agree to remove certain search results if you can show that you are being highly prejudiced by the link between your name and the search result that comes up.

This will be difficult to do but not impossible and Google agreement or refusal to remove your name from the search results would depend on the particular circumstances of your case.

Remove your name from Google because your name links to private information

If the information that Google brings up in searches to your name is not defamatory, it might still be able to have it removed if the information that is being presented is private information. What is considered private information for the purpose of having your name removed from Google searches, might be subjected to a debate.

Some private information is clearly private whilst other information might be private but this might not be so obvious to Google. In some cases, information which was public previously might become of private nature subsequently. An example might be a spent criminal conviction.

At the same time, private information might cease to become private if you decided to place it in the public domain. In short, for the purpose of wishing to remove your name from Google, information can move from being private to public and from public to private.

Remove your name from Google under data protection laws

You might be able to remove your name from Google under the Data Protection Act or GDPR. There are rules for the way Google can process your data and if you believe that your name should be removed from Google searches because Google is breaching any of your rights under data protection laws, it is your responsibility to make out the case to Google.

You may use European data protection laws, privacy laws and defamation under the same application to Google to have your name removed from internet searches.

Remove your name from Google where your name is linked to unwanted images or videos

If the information that you wish to remove from Google, or if your name is linked to images or videos, which perhaps in the past you were happy for Google to present but now you feel uncomfortable with, you may still utilise data protection law, privacy law and copyright law to request that Google removes your name in relation to those images or videos or that Google completely delist the media from searches in relation to your name.

Whatever the reason is for your need to have your name removed from Google, you should seek legal advice whenever possible. Our lawyers are experts in facilitating removal of unwanted data from the internet. Browse our website for free information, guidance and case studies similar to yours and contact us by email or a free call for additional support.