Google launches a new tool to help remove non-consensual explicit images from Google Search, allowing users to select the image, choose “remove result,” and indicate it shows a sexual image of me, with added options for under-18 content or personal information.

The system will continuously monitor search results tied to the user’s monitored data and notify if matching results appear, though removal from Search does not delete the underlying data on the web.

Users can access the Results about You hub to track removal requests and add checks for personal data; Google will scan for additional sensitive identifiers such as social security numbers, driver’s licenses, and passports.

Experts view these tools as a step toward proactive data protection, while noting broader issues like data brokers, uneven privacy laws, and persistent web content remain unresolved.

The new tools aim to address gaps where prior alerts didn’t lead to meaningful action.

Overall, upgrades empower users to control their digital footprint, but they aren’t a cure-all for data exposure.

Experts warn that sharing such data with a third party increases exposure points, and individuals should weigh benefits of reduced visibility against risks of sharing sensitive identifiers.

Context notes the issue includes non-consensual images and deepfakes, with advocates pushing for bans on platforms hosting such content.

Announcements were made on Safer Internet Day, alongside other tech companies highlighting online safety efforts.

The tools require opt-in and sharing monitored data with Google, reflecting a tension between protection aims and data collection practices.

System prioritizes removal requests from data broker pages, addressing a major source of exposed personal information.

The rollout will start in the United States soon and expand to other regions, aligning with Google's shift from dark web reports to proactive removal and user guidance.