How the ICO Decides on Removing Search Results from Google (UK)

If you've ever wondered "How do I remove my name from Google search?" or whether old newspaper articles or personal details can be taken down, the UK's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) plays a key role. Under the GDPR Right to be Forgotten (Article 17) and related UK data laws, the ICO offers guidance on when search engines like Google and Bing must remove results that affect your privacy.

Factors the ICO Considers Before Delisting Search Results

• Is the information about a private individual?
  The ICO gives more protection to private individuals versus large organisations.
• Does the person have a public role?
  Politicians or business leaders may face stricter standards, but they still have privacy rights on sensitive matters.
• Was the person under 18?
  If the content was published when the person was a child, there’s a higher chance it will be removed.
• Is the data accurate?
  False or outdated information strengthens the case for removal.
• Does it concern their professional vs private life?
  Work-related content is harder to remove than private health or family details.
• Is there hate speech or defamation?
  While the ICO doesn't decide libel cases, they note when content crosses legal lines.
• Is it sensitive personal data?
  Health, sexual orientation or religious details are treated more carefully.
• Is it old or no longer relevant?
  Very old reports, especially minor offences, may justify removal if they're harming someone’s current life.
• Is it causing real harm?
  You don’t have to prove harm, but showing serious impact helps.
• Does it create risk?
  If it might lead to stalking, fraud or similar, removal is more likely.
• Did you consent to publication?
  If you agreed initially, it's harder, but not impossible, to get content removed if circumstances change.
• Is it from legitimate journalism or law?
  Genuine news reporting and legally required publications have special protections.

Does the ICO Remove the Content Itself?

No. Even if the ICO says a search result should be delisted, the original page remains online. It simply won’t appear when someone searches your name on Google, Bing or Yahoo.

Need Help Getting Search Results Removed?

At Internet Erasure, we help clients across the UK and EU file the strongest possible Right to be Forgotten requests, increasing the chances of success with Google and Bing. We then keep working until we are successful (We 'PERSIST until we DELIST') Get in touch to see if we can help remove damaging search results.

For the original ICO guidance, you can also visit the ICO website here.