back to article Google offers to alert netizens when their personal info shows up in Search

Google is carrying out its corporate mission statement – to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful – by offering to hide certain information in its search results. In the interest of privacy – something of an issue at the Mountain View, California-based ad giant – the Chocolate Factory …

  1. Flocke Kroes Silver badge

    New Google service cancelled already?

    I have not told Google who I am, where I live or my phone number and I wouldn't even to use this tool. It is very likely that Google have got this information from someone else, so I tried the link (https://myactivity.google.com/results-about-you) to find out what Google would admit to knowing: "Error 404 (Not Found)!!1"

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: New Google service cancelled already?

      Yeah.. How does the slurper in chief know that it is your personal data unless you... give it to them?

      I'd like to know what information Google has on me and how I can get it deleted for good.

      Yes, I know that is like asking a 200kg couch potato to trial for the Olympic 100m but why not offer such a service google? You never know, it might be profitable.

      If not then Google can go an slurp someone else's life away in real time after all, that is what they are in business for...

    2. Dinanziame Silver badge

      Re: New Google service cancelled already?

      The blog post says "This tool is available in the U.S. in English to start", so maybe that's what you get unless you're on the left side of the pond...?

  2. ThatOne Silver badge
    Devil

    Everyone's evil but me

    > Google offers to alert netizens when their personal info shows up in Search

    But to do so, we need to know what exactly your precise personal info is, so please fill out this exhaustive survey and henceforth allow all our trackers. If you don't, we can't possibly help you...

    1. Flightmode

      Re: Everyone's evil but me

      Yeah, this smells like Meta’s “Of course we can help you remove those (to quote TFA) saucy snaps you sent to your now-ex! Please upload a copy of the photos you want removed here!”.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Everyone's evil but me

      Dear Google user,

      We have found your personal data on the following site(s):

      google.com, twitter.com, instagram.com, facebook.com, bebo.com, myspace.com...

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    So how does it work for John Smith ?

    I only have one person in the world who shares my name. My son none. My wife (since marrying me) actually picked up a few same named people.

    Or to put it another way, my details have always been easy to spot in a search. They are the ones not from Louisiana ...

  4. Pascal Monett Silver badge
    Big Brother

    "to give you added peace of mind"

    Move along Citizen. Nothing to worry about here.

    You can go about your business. Move along now.

  5. Ken Moorhouse Silver badge

    I can see problems...

    If the likes of Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Elon Musk sign up for the service. Google will be making itself irrelevant, surely?

  6. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I tried this. It errored out when submitting.

    (See title.)

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