Google Rolls Out Tool to Help Minors Delete Photos

Dismas · 10-28-2021, 03:20 AM

For some of our younger members, this might come in handy. Google's new form should allow minors (or anyone claiming to be) to clean up their digital footprint.

Quote:Google is now making it easier for minors or their parents to have photos of them deleted from search results.

In a blog post published Wednesday, the company said it is rolling out a tool that lets parents and kids under the age of 18 request photos be removed from its images tab or no longer appear as thumbnails in a search inquiry.

Although Google (GOOG) previously offered ways for people to request the removal of personal information and photos that fit into categories such as "non-consensual explicit" or "financial, medical and national ID," it's now extending this to images of minors.

"We know that kids and teens have to navigate some unique challenges online, especially when a picture of them is unexpectedly available on the internet," the company said in the blog post. "We believe this change will help give young people more control over their digital footprint and where their images can be found on Search."

The new form allows users to flag URLs of any images or search results that contain pictures they want removed. Google said its teams will review each submission and reach out if they need additional information to verify the requirements for removal.

Read More: https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/27/tech/goog...index.html

mothered · 10-28-2021, 09:32 AM

It's about time Google did something to benefit end users.

When It's up and running, I'll be putting It to the test by claiming I'm a minor wishing to remove certain material.

Dismas · 10-28-2021, 04:30 PM

(10-28-2021, 09:32 AM)mothered Wrote: It's about time Google did something to benefit end users.

When It's up and running, I'll be putting It to the test by claiming I'm a minor wishing to remove certain material.

I'm curious to what extent they validate. In terms of GDPR and "right to be forgotten" stuff, they don't tend to pry too much.

Boudica · 10-28-2021, 07:12 PM

This is very interesting indeed. I wonder how well this works in practice.

mothered · 10-29-2021, 02:35 AM

(10-28-2021, 04:30 PM)Dismas Wrote:
(10-28-2021, 09:32 AM)mothered Wrote: It's about time Google did something to benefit end users.

When It's up and running, I'll be putting It to the test by claiming I'm a minor wishing to remove certain material.

I'm curious to what extent they validate.

Yes, that's one reason I'd like to test It.

Whether Google effectively provides the service as stated, remains to be seen.