Google has made it easier for users to remove their personal contact information from Search results, announcing an update to its "Results about you" tool. The feature, which detects and allows users to request removal of sensitive information such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, is now more accessible and user-friendly.

The "Results about you" tool was initially launched to help users proactively monitor and control what personal information appears in Search results. To use the feature, users register by providing Google with the specific contact information they want to monitor. Google then notifies users when their data is detected, allowing them to request removal. The company assures that the provided contact data "is not shared or used to personalize your experience across other Google products."

Previously, the tool was only accessible through the Google app or buried deep within the History settings under Google user accounts on desktop and mobile web. However, with the update, users can now request removals directly from the Search results page. A "remove this result" option will appear next to results, allowing users to quickly request removal and understand what kind of information is eligible for deletion.

Upon clicking the "remove this result" option, users will be presented with three request options: personal information, legal removals, and requests to refresh outdated Search results. The latter is a new feature that enables users to prompt Google to recrawl a website and update its information when their personal information has been updated, corrected, or removed from the website but Search results haven't reflected those changes.

The update is currently available to users in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, France, Sweden, Thailand, India, and Indonesia, with plans to expand to more countries in the future. This move is seen as a step towards enhancing user privacy and giving individuals more control over their online presence.

The development is significant, especially in the context of growing concerns around online privacy and data protection. By making it easier for users to remove their personal contact information from Search results, Google is taking a proactive approach to addressing these concerns and promoting a safer online environment.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it's essential for tech giants like Google to prioritize user privacy and take concrete steps towards protecting sensitive information. The updated "Results about you" tool is a welcome move in this direction, and its expansion to more countries will likely have a positive impact on online privacy globally.