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Reason #1: You’re a popular person or a public figure: actor, author, influencer.
The most common reason that an individual’s personal or semi-private information appears in Google results is that they are a public figure. “Public figure” is essentially a legal term (defined by Gertz v. Robert Welch) that refers to a person who has assumed a position of prominence, and has actively thrust themselves into a role of influence of fame. Business owners may or may not be public figures, but actors, authors, singers, celebrities, influencers, TV personalities, and others who knowingly work themselves into such roles are typically considered to be public figures.
If you are a public figure, you would very likely know you are one, and you wouldn’t be wondering too much about why you’re showing up in Google searches. Afterall, fame or prominence is the goal of a public figure, whether for themselves, a cause they’re devoted to, or their unique skills, training, etc.
Public figures are also granted a lesser right to privacy than persons who wish to lead a more private life.
How to remove data about you from the internet:
Public figures are at a disadvantage when it comes to removing personal information about themselves online and in other public forums or spaces. However, that does not mean that anyone can publish anything about a public figure without repercussions. If private information of a public figure is being “leaked” online, the best avenue of recourse is usually to make direct contact with the person or organization publishing the information. Inform them of why you feel it puts your life or privacy at risk and see if you can reason with them. Some bad actors may choose to publish private information in an effort to be paid for its removal. Paying for data removal is typically not a good idea, as the offending party will then know you (or the public figure you represent) “negotiates” in these circumstances, possibly prompting further publishing of public information. After personal contact, the domain host or provider can be contacted, though hosts (like GoDaddy or Google Domains) typically only remove websites by order of a lawsuit.) Barring that, your options are to file a lawsuit or send a cease and desist letter, but these tactics should be carefully considered in light of the Striesand Effect.
Reason #2: You’re not a public figure per se, but you did something publicly notable.
If you are not a public figure per se, but you did something—good or bad—that is considered publicly notable, you’ll find that some mention of your name and organizational affiliations will probably be written about by a newspaper or blogger. In most cases, these are legally allowed publications that cover events of note and are protected under the first amendment.
How to remove data about you from the internet:
If such publications go beyond merely covering the public aspects of something you are involved in, you may need to contact a lawyer. Before doing so, however, try to determine if the “invasion of privacy” was accidentally done by a proper news organization or blogger, if it is a person or group that stretches the limit of what’s legally allowable. In some cases, such as arrest records, you would need to first have the record expunged or cleared, and then reach out to the organization or person in question and try to meet a joint agreement of some sort that is favorable to both parties.
But, this is not a guarantee. Even the Washington Post, for instance, openly states that it no longer considers removing news articles for almost any reason. In these cases, it would be necessary to present a solid case or appeal as to why or how certain information is causing a danger to you, such as by proving harassment, stalking, or other offenses.
News organizations and bloggers should in most cases be able to cover notable events without compromising the safety or privacy of those involved. This is less likely to be the case where the notable event is an arrest or scandalous crime or allegation, in which case laying low, or changing one’s name are among the options usually considered if the alternatives have proven ineffective.
Reason #3: Data brokers have bought or collected your data, and are now selling it.
If you Google your name, you’ll find that various identifying information about you is available for just about anyone in the world to see online.
This can include your current home address, your past home addresses, schools you may have gone to, your current phone number, and the name of your relatives.
Some of this information is usually shown on websites that make you (or others) pay in order to see the rest of it.
The fact is, while there are laws that prevent certain people or organizations from acting on the data that can be bought from these websites, there are no laws that prevent anyone from buying these reports and discovering everything they say about you.
If you’re new to the world of online data and privacy protection, the first thing you should know is that legal action against these companies is not only not effective, but it isn’t even required.
How to remove data about you from the internet:
You can get your data removed from one or all of these websites without having to sue them.
That’s what a Data Removal company does.
Data Removal companies specialize in fulfilling the opt-out requirements for each of the most popular (or common rather, since they’re not at all popular) websites that collect and publish personal data for purchase by others.
You can also go through the removal requirements yourself instead of paying someone to do it for. The downside to that is that each website has different removal and opt-out requirements, and there are (literally) hundreds of different websites that publish personal data.
You can get your data removed from one or all of these websites by using a Data Removal company.
Reason #4: Friends, fans, followers (or haters) wrote about you.
There’s nothing stopping any fan, friend, family member, follower, or colleague from writing about you and publishing it online. This is the freedom of speech we enjoy in the United States. But, it has its limits. People are free to say or write what they wish about whomever they wish—but only as long as they do not violate other laws or Amendmemts.
If allegations about you or your company are false, speaking or writing about them on any medium that reaches another person can cause the speaker or writer to be guilty of libel or slander. Libel and slander lawsuits are generally rather lucrative to lawyers and plaintiffs, but they take a great deal of time and money to successfully pursue.
How to remove data about you from the internet:
The best way to remove this information from the internet will depend upon what was written exactly and by whom.
If you feel that details about your private life put you at risk or in danger, consider reaching out if the publisher appears to be well-intentioned. Consider legal action or a cease and desist letter if the publisher appears to be in violation of laws.
Reason #5: Your personal info was leaked in a company data breach.
The companies we buy services and products from end up with a decent amount of information about us, whether that be our home address or credit card information.
Information leaked in these breaches is less likely to appear on the “open web” than it is to show up or be sold on the “dark web.”
How to remove data about you from the internet:
There’s little you can do to address this in most cases as those revealing the information typically hide who they are.
The best choice here is usually to cancel and replace any credit cards and ATM cards that may have been compromised.
And since most people don’t know how to access the “dark web,” you have little to worry about in most cases.
Reason #6: You belong to an organization, group, demographic, or minority that someone is targeting or highlighting.
The last and least common reason your information would show up online and in Google searches is that you are or were a part of an organization or demographic that someone wishes to “expose” or highlight.
Some members of certain religious groups may be affected by this, as can some people who are the subject of hate crimes.
How to remove data about you from the internet:
In such a case, removing your information from these websites will vary based on what type of website it is and who is publishing the information.
If the publisher has or appears to have bad intentions, one of the best ways to deal with the problem is to file a report with Google, noting that the website has “deceptive removal practices.”
