Google Right to be Forgotten UK, practical guide to getting search results delisted
Last reviewed: 5 September 2025
Quick answer
- Scope, UK and EU only: The Right to be Forgotten lets you ask Google to delist results for your name in the UK and EU; the source page usually remains live.
- What Google checks: Is the result inaccurate, inadequate, irrelevant, or excessive, and is there a public-interest reason to keep it.
- What you must provide: Exact URLs, the name query, proof of identity, and short reasons with evidence.
- How to apply: Use Google’s EU privacy form. If the page has already changed or been removed, use the Outdated Content tool instead.
- If refused: You can complain to the ICO in the UK—include Google’s decision email and your original request.
1. What the law says, statute first
Article 17 of the UK GDPR, and the equivalent Article 17 of the EU GDPR, gives individuals the right to request erasure of personal data in certain circumstances. Search engine delisting is one practical way this right is applied, alongside a public interest balance. Read the legal text (plain link):
Key grounds include data that is no longer necessary, consent withdrawn, a valid objection to processing, unlawful processing, legal obligation to erase, and children’s data. Exemptions can apply, such as freedom of expression, legal obligations, public interest, archiving, or the exercise or defence of legal claims.
2. How Google applies RTBF in the UK and EU
Google’s approach is set out in its Right to be Forgotten overview. In short, individuals can ask Google to delist results for searches of their name. Google assesses whether the information is inaccurate, inadequate, irrelevant, or excessive, then weighs that against the public interest. Corporations usually cannot use RTBF to delist name-based queries for the company name. Overview:
Territorial scope matters. Delisting occurs on European domains and is reinforced with geolocation so UK users searching any Google domain do not see delisted results for the person’s name. Data and explanation:
The Court of Justice confirmed that global delisting is not required; EU/UK delisting with geolocation is generally sufficient. Judgments:
3. ICO guidance you should know
The UK Information Commissioner explains when you can ask search providers to delete results that contain your personal data, and how complaints are handled if your request is refused:
Some RTBF materials may be under review following legislative updates; check the current ICO pages above before you submit.
4. Prepare a strong request
- Exact URLs: copy the full links you want delisted, one per line.
- Your name query: usually your full name as typed by a UK user.
- Identification: Google requests ID to verify you are the person affected.
- Short reasons with evidence: explain inaccuracies, outdated context, disproportionate impact, or other Article 17 grounds. Attach proof where possible, e.g. court orders or updates.
- If the page was changed or deleted: don’t file RTBF first—ask Google to refresh its index using the Outdated Content tool.
5. Submit your request to Google
Use the European privacy request form:
You’ll receive a confirmation and reference. Google may email for clarification or more documents. If multiple Google products are involved, file notices for each product as instructed in the Help Centre.
6. What Google considers when deciding
- Inaccurate, inadequate, irrelevant, or excessive information in a name search.
- Public interest (e.g. professional misconduct, public office, consumer risk).
- Special category and criminal offence data receive particular care.
- Whether the name query genuinely returns content about you; whether new context changes the balance.
See Google’s overview for the framework; for legal background on territorial scope and sensitive data handling, see the CJEU judgments and EDPB guidance:
7. If your request is about personal identifiers
If you want to remove direct personal identifiers such as your home address or phone number, Google provides a separate route:
8. Outcomes, what to expect
- Delisted for your name query in the UK and EU where applicable.
- Content remains on the site unless the publisher removes it.
- Partial approvals are common—strengthen evidence and resubmit.
- Refusals can be escalated to the ICO or addressed in a revised request.
9. Step by step, my recommended flow
- List every URL and test the name query that surfaces it in the UK.
- Gather evidence, corrections, and context (e.g. court outcomes or updated facts).
- Pick the correct route: RTBF vs. Outdated Content tool.
- Submit with concise, factual reasons and attach evidence.
- Track the reference, respond promptly, record decisions.
- If refused, compare with ICO criteria; escalate or resubmit stronger.
Need professional support
I handle UK and EU RTBF submissions daily, including complex matters around criminal offence data and news reporting. If you want help drafting, evidence mapping, or escalation, contact Internet Erasure Ltd.
General information only, not legal advice.
