Internet Erasure specialises in removing unwanted information from online search results.
We do this primarily by utilising the legal ‘Right to Erasure’, also known as the ‘Right to Be Forgotten’.
This is a data protection right, outlined in Article 17 of the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which grants private individuals the right to request the deletion of their personal data.
How is the Right to Erasure Applied Under the GDPR?
The GDPR Right to Erasure allows individuals to take back control of their online presence by requesting the removal of personal information from search engine results that negatively impact their privacy. To do so, private individuals (or their appointed representatives) can contact the search engine, provide proof of identity, affirm that the identified content references them, and present compelling reasons for its removal.
Article 17 of the UK GDPR outlines the specific circumstances under which the Right to Erasure applies. An individual can request deletion if:
- Personal data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which you originally collected or processed it.
- You rely on consent as your lawful basis for holding the data, and the individual withdraws their consent.
- You are relying on legitimate interests as your basis for processing. The individual objects to the processing of their data, and there is no overriding legitimate interest in continuing this processing.
- You are processing the personal data for direct marketing purposes, and the individual objects to that processing.
- You have processed the personal data unlawfully (i.e. in breach of the lawfulness requirement of the 1st principle).
- The information is inaccurate, out of date, irrelevant, or inadequate (missing important information).
It’s important to note that the Right to Erasure is not absolute – it only applies in certain circumstances. For instance, removal requests may be denied if the information is strongly in the public interest.
How Can We Help You?
The GDPR Right to Erasure is full of nuances, as data controllers have to weigh an individual's privacy against what is in the public interest. Therefore, claims can be rejected, leaving damaging information online for all to see.
To succeed, you’ll need a solid understanding of privacy and data protection law a it applies to each unique set of circumstances, and the possible loopholes organisations can exploit.
That’s where we step in.
At Internet Erasure, our caseworkers leverage the Right to Erasure and other legal arguments to help clients reclaim their online presence. To date, we’ve helped almost 1,200 clients and removed over 70,000 URL's (web addresses pointing to articles, images, videos or files on the internet) from Google and other search engines.
We only accept clients if we know we can help them and we work tirelessly until we achieve removal – no matter how many submissions or appeals it takes.
Find out who can apply for a detailed look at the specific cases we handle, or scroll down to discover the details of our process.
Our service typically follows a 12-step process. Below is an overview of what to expect at each stage.
1) Consultation
Before accepting a client, we begin with a free consultation to understand the case and assess the client's eligibility for removal.
We will also explain our fees and give a predicted timescale based on similar cases.
Please note that Internet Erasure will only accept clients when we:
- Believe it is in the client’s best interest to instruct us.
- Expect to achieve the removal of damaging content from Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS).
- Can commit to working on the client’s case until complete removal from SERPs.
2) Onboarding
Client makes payment, signs service agreement and provides photographic identification.
Internet Erasure confirm safe receipt of everything.
3) Adverse Media Report
Our in-house researcher will thoroughly investigate all platforms to identify all damaging articles, images, and other media currently appearing in search engine results. We compile our findings into a comprehensive Adverse Media Report, which we present to the client.
This report will include information such as:
- List of ‘long-tail keywords’ including name variations and relevant family members.
- Grouped content organised by subjects and timelines, accompanied by brief overviews of each topic.
- List of URL's currently displayed in search results, including image links, mobile phone links, link network links etc.
- Screenshots of current search results.
- Overview of each subject matter.
4) Pre-Submission Actions
We remove dead links at this early stage and address ‘easy win’ deletions (often where Internet Erasure has an existing pathway). Additionally, we may provide clients with guidance on managing any online content which they control.
An optimal strategy will be determined through an internal caseworker conference, taking into account the order of removals and other relevant considerations.
5) Initial Grounds
Our caseworkers draft and submit initial arguments for removal under GDPR Article 17 or other defamation, copyright, safeguarding, harassment, and privacy grounds, to be advanced to Google and Microsoft powered search engines.
6) Evidence
We request, gather and review necessary evidence and provide relevant extracts to search engine case workers as required; this may include, but is not limited to:
- Witness statements.
- Settlement agreements.
- Evidence of change of employment or industry.
- Evidence of a criminal record, sentencing or acquittal.
- Evidence of payments made or received as required.
- Evidence of dismissal from or reinstatement by a professional body.
7) Initial grounds advanced to Google and Microsoft
Submissions are completed and we continue to liaise with search engine caseworkers until delisting (removal from search results in UK and EU for searches under client's name) is achieved.
8) Case Review
Further arguments are advanced as we continue to liaise with the search engine, escalating the case as a case review until we are assured that all of our points have been correctly considered.
Most cases will now move to Stage 12 - Sweep and Submit
9) Appeal
Approximately 25% of our cases require an appeal to be made to The Information Commissioner (ICO). If so, our experts will draft and submit personalised appeals to the ICO. These appeals are followed by ongoing communications with the ICO, Google, or Microsoft.
10) Advanced Appeal
Following our Service Agreement, the team at Internet Erasure will continue to work on your behalf until all adverse content associated with your name is removed from the search results. If an advanced appeal is necessary, we will undertake formal case reviews with the ICO, present further counterarguments, and resubmit requests to Google and Microsoft until results are achieved.
11) PHSO Appeal
In a small number of cases, we will complain further to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. This is where we feel that ICO have not correctly handled or considered a case or points therein.
12) Undertakings of removal received, now performing ‘Sweep and Submit’
We will stay vigilant, checking search results weekly, capturing URL variants, links, and other newly unearthed content that may appear as each search engine results page (SERP) changes.
13) Review Requested
We will ask our client to write an anonymous review about their experiences both before and after instructing Internet Erasure.
14) Aftercare
Once your case is complete, we may in some cases, at our discretion, offer additional support tailored to your needs, for a fee, which may include:
Exercise Your Right to Erasure Today
Don't suffer in silence if you are struggling with adverse media online. Contact the Internet Erasure team today.
We offer a free consultation to assess your eligibility for removal from search results and will outline predicted timescales and costs. If we believe we can successfully assist with your case, we will kick off our 12-step process and work relentlessly to achieve removal for you.
We do this primarily by utilising the legal ‘Right to Erasure’, also known as the ‘Right to Be Forgotten’.
This is a data protection right, outlined in Article 17 of the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which grants private individuals the right to request the deletion of their personal data.
How is the Right to Erasure Applied Under the GDPR?
The GDPR Right to Erasure allows individuals to take back control of their online presence by requesting the removal of personal information from search engine results that negatively impact their privacy. To do so, private individuals (or their appointed representatives) can contact the search engine, provide proof of identity, affirm that the identified content references them, and present compelling reasons for its removal.
Article 17 of the UK GDPR outlines the specific circumstances under which the Right to Erasure applies. An individual can request deletion if:
- Personal data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which you originally collected or processed it.
- You rely on consent as your lawful basis for holding the data, and the individual withdraws their consent.
- You are relying on legitimate interests as your basis for processing. The individual objects to the processing of their data, and there is no overriding legitimate interest in continuing this processing.
- You are processing the personal data for direct marketing purposes, and the individual objects to that processing.
- You have processed the personal data unlawfully (i.e. in breach of the lawfulness requirement of the 1st principle).
- The information is inaccurate, out of date, irrelevant, or inadequate (missing important information).
It’s important to note that the Right to Erasure is not absolute – it only applies in certain circumstances. For instance, removal requests may be denied if the information is strongly in the public interest.
How Can We Help You?
The GDPR Right to Erasure is full of nuances, as data controllers have to weigh an individual's privacy against what is in the public interest. Therefore, claims can be rejected, leaving damaging information online for all to see.
To succeed, you’ll need a solid understanding of privacy and data protection law a it applies to each unique set of circumstances, and the possible loopholes organisations can exploit.
That’s where we step in.
At Internet Erasure, our caseworkers leverage the Right to Erasure and other legal arguments to help clients reclaim their online presence. To date, we’ve helped almost 1,200 clients and removed over 70,000 URL's (web addresses pointing to articles, images, videos or files on the internet) from Google and other search engines.
We only accept clients if we know we can help them and we work tirelessly until we achieve removal – no matter how many submissions or appeals it takes.
Find out who can apply for a detailed look at the specific cases we handle, or scroll down to discover the details of our process.
Our service typically follows a 12-step process. Below is an overview of what to expect at each stage.
1) Consultation
Before accepting a client, we begin with a free consultation to understand the case and assess the client's eligibility for removal.
We will also explain our fees and give a predicted timescale based on similar cases.
Please note that Internet Erasure will only accept clients when we:
- Believe it is in the client’s best interest to instruct us.
- Expect to achieve the removal of damaging content from Search Engine Results Pages (SERPS).
- Can commit to working on the client’s case until complete removal from SERPs.
2) Onboarding
Client makes payment, signs service agreement and provides photographic identification.
Internet Erasure confirm safe receipt of everything.
3) Adverse Media Report
Our in-house researcher will thoroughly investigate all platforms to identify all damaging articles, images, and other media currently appearing in search engine results. We compile our findings into a comprehensive Adverse Media Report, which we present to the client.
This report will include information such as:
- List of ‘long-tail keywords’ including name variations and relevant family members.
- Grouped content organised by subjects and timelines, accompanied by brief overviews of each topic.
- List of URL's currently displayed in search results, including image links, mobile phone links, link network links etc.
- Screenshots of current search results.
- Overview of each subject matter.
4) Pre-Submission Actions
We remove dead links at this early stage and address ‘easy win’ deletions (often where Internet Erasure has an existing pathway). Additionally, we may provide clients with guidance on managing any online content which they control.
An optimal strategy will be determined through an internal caseworker conference, taking into account the order of removals and other relevant considerations.
5) Initial Grounds
Our caseworkers draft and submit initial arguments for removal under GDPR Article 17 or other defamation, copyright, safeguarding, harassment, and privacy grounds, to be advanced to Google and Microsoft powered search engines.
6) Evidence
We request, gather and review necessary evidence and provide relevant extracts to search engine case workers as required; this may include, but is not limited to:
- Witness statements.
- Settlement agreements.
- Evidence of change of employment or industry.
- Evidence of a criminal record, sentencing or acquittal.
- Evidence of payments made or received as required.
- Evidence of dismissal from or reinstatement by a professional body.
7) Initial grounds advanced to Google and Microsoft
Submissions are completed and we continue to liaise with search engine caseworkers until delisting (removal from search results in UK and EU for searches under client's name) is achieved.
8) Case Review
Further arguments are advanced as we continue to liaise with the search engine, escalating the case as a case review until we are assured that all of our points have been correctly considered.
Most cases will now move to Stage 12 - Sweep and Submit
9) Appeal
Approximately 25% of our cases require an appeal to be made to The Information Commissioner (ICO). If so, our experts will draft and submit personalised appeals to the ICO. These appeals are followed by ongoing communications with the ICO, Google, or Microsoft.
10) Advanced Appeal
Following our Service Agreement, the team at Internet Erasure will continue to work on your behalf until all adverse content associated with your name is removed from the search results. If an advanced appeal is necessary, we will undertake formal case reviews with the ICO, present further counterarguments, and resubmit requests to Google and Microsoft until results are achieved.
11) PHSO Appeal
In a small number of cases, we will complain further to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. This is where we feel that ICO have not correctly handled or considered a case or points therein.
12) Undertakings of removal received, now performing ‘Sweep and Submit’
We will stay vigilant, checking search results weekly, capturing URL variants, links, and other newly unearthed content that may appear as each search engine results page (SERP) changes.
13) Review Requested
We will ask our client to write an anonymous review about their experiences both before and after instructing Internet Erasure.
14) Aftercare
Once your case is complete, we may in some cases, at our discretion, offer additional support tailored to your needs, for a fee, which may include:
- Ongoing reputation management, expert advice on creating positive online content or effectively managing future publicity.
- Liaising with police in harassment cases for your protection.
- Removal of cautions of NFA cases from the Police National Computer or ACRO.
- Removal of adverse media held by risk screening and 'know your client' (KYC) companies.
- in cases with high public interest, we may offer renewal of our 12-month sweep and submit programme to ensure search results stay clear of adverse media.
Exercise Your Right to Erasure Today
Don't suffer in silence if you are struggling with adverse media online. Contact the Internet Erasure team today.
We offer a free consultation to assess your eligibility for removal from search results and will outline predicted timescales and costs. If we believe we can successfully assist with your case, we will kick off our 12-step process and work relentlessly to achieve removal for you.
