For years, people have been frustrated by how easily personal information— phone numbers, home addresses, and other sensitive details —can appear in Google Search results without consent. Now, Google is finally giving users a powerful tool to reclaim their privacy. The newly redesigned Results About You feature makes it easier to locate and remove personal information from search results. However, while this update is a step in the right direction, it is currently unavailable in the Philippines — leaving users here still waiting for an essential privacy safeguard.

A better way to reduce your footprint

Google announced that the Results About You tool will allow users to sign up for proactive monitoring. Once activated, the tool will scan for any instances of personal information appearing in search results and notify users if new results are found. If users want their information removed, they can request deletion in just a few clicks.

Beyond removal, Google has also introduced a way to refresh outdated search results. If a webpage has been updated or taken down but still appears in Search, users can request Google to re-crawl the page and update its search index to reflect the changes.

Previously, requesting the removal of personal information was a tedious process requiring users to manually track down offending results and submit requests through a separate form. Now, the process is integrated directly into Search. Users simply need to click on the three-dot menu next to a search result, check whether the content is eligible for removal, and submit a request.

In addition, the new tool includes a dashboard where users can track their removal requests, categorized into “In Progress,” “Approved,” “Denied,” and “Undone” — making it easier to stay informed about the status of their requests.

The Philippines left out

While this tool marks a significant leap forward in online privacy protection, Google has yet to roll it out in the Philippines. This leaves Filipinos without an easy way to remove sensitive personal information from search results, despite increasing concerns over data privacy and security in the country.

With rising cases of doxxing, identity theft, and scams, Filipinos need access to the same privacy protections now available in other regions. Google’s proactive approach to privacy is commendable, but it’s time for them to extend this tool globally — including to the Philippines. Until then, local users remain vulnerable to having their personal information freely accessible online.

Google’s Results About You tool is a long-overdue step toward better online privacy, proving that the tech giant is listening to user concerns. But until it becomes available in the Philippines, local users can only hope that Google prioritizes expanding this crucial feature soon.

Until then, vigilance remains the best defense. Users should regularly check what personal information appears in Search, manually request removals through Google's existing forms, and be mindful of what they share online. The fight for digital privacy is far from over — but at least now, progress is being made.