The Right to be Forgotten and Business Failures
The Right to be Forgotten, also known as the Right to Erasure, is part of the UK's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation. It entitles you to request that your data be deleted when it’s incorrect, outdated, incomplete or irrelevant. This includes delisting articles from Google about a past business failure.
If damaging information about your past business affairs lingers online, you’re not alone. At Internet Erasure, we’ve helped many entrepreneurs salvage their reputations and make a fresh start. Learn about the procedure more below.
The Impact of Business Failure
In the business world, a reputation is hard-earned but easily lost. With increased scrutiny on companies today, mistakes can be amplified and made public in an instant. When your professional reputation takes a hit, recovering can be challenging – especially when damaging content related to company closures or business failures resurfaces online. Such content can lead to:
The good news is that Google removals often apply to past business failures. By leveraging the Right to Be Forgotten, you can develop an action plan to salvage your reputation and start anew.
Deleting Articles from Google About Business Failures
Using the Right to Be Forgotten, you have a legal right to request the deletion of personal data that is incorrect, outdated, incomplete, or no longer relevant. This includes removing articles from Google related to your past business failures. If your request is successful, these links will no longer appear in search results when people look up your name online or perform an ‘adverse media check’.
Does the Right to be Forgotten Apply to Companies House?
Generally, the Right to Be Forgotten does not apply to official records. This means that information published on the Companies House website typically cannot be removed, nor will it be deleted from Google or other search engines. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as:
If your business fails due to bankruptcy, this will be recorded on publicly accessible registers, such as The London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazette and the Insolvency Register. While you cannot erase official registration details from these records, the Right to Be Forgotten can help you address and remove subsequent outdated, misleading, or damaging links and articles that may appear in search results.
For more information about what happens if a business goes bankrupt and how the Right to Be Forgotten applies in this context, please view our dedicated page: ‘The UK’s right to be forgotten laws and bankruptcy’.
How to Request Google Removals Using the Right to be Forgotten.
Anyone can apply for the Right to Be Forgotten directly with Google, and we provide a free guide that outlines the steps for a DIY approach. However, navigating this process can be complex and often demands detailed legal arguments, including:
It’s also important to note that the Right to Be Forgotten is not absolute. Your request to delete articles from Google about your business failure could be refused, especially if your privacy rights conflict with the public’s right to know. To present your case effectively, you should engage a specialist privacy lawyer.
Ready to Move Forward?
Speak to Internet Erasure Today
As experts in the Right to be Forgotten, our team knows how to avoid the pitfalls of deleting articles from Google. With this expertise, we’ve helped over 1,200 clients remove 70,000 damaging links from Google and various platforms. Don’t just take our word for it – we’re the only company specialising in this area with an excellent rating on Trustpilot!
If the shadow of your past business failure still affects you, please contact us for a free consultation. We carefully evaluate each case and accept only those we are confident we can help. This allows us to fully commit to removing harmful links, regardless of the number of submissions, reviews, or appeals required.
Begin the process by emailing [email protected], calling 0333 252 0923, or messaging via SMS or WhatsApp at 07565 130 116. Alternatively, submit a convenient initial enquiry form, and we’ll respond promptly.
If damaging information about your past business affairs lingers online, you’re not alone. At Internet Erasure, we’ve helped many entrepreneurs salvage their reputations and make a fresh start. Learn about the procedure more below.
The Impact of Business Failure
In the business world, a reputation is hard-earned but easily lost. With increased scrutiny on companies today, mistakes can be amplified and made public in an instant. When your professional reputation takes a hit, recovering can be challenging – especially when damaging content related to company closures or business failures resurfaces online. Such content can lead to:
- A negative perception of your abilities and integrity.
- Difficulty in gaining future employment or credibility in new ventures.
- Hesitations or rejections from potential future stakeholders and investors.
The good news is that Google removals often apply to past business failures. By leveraging the Right to Be Forgotten, you can develop an action plan to salvage your reputation and start anew.
Deleting Articles from Google About Business Failures
Using the Right to Be Forgotten, you have a legal right to request the deletion of personal data that is incorrect, outdated, incomplete, or no longer relevant. This includes removing articles from Google related to your past business failures. If your request is successful, these links will no longer appear in search results when people look up your name online or perform an ‘adverse media check’.
Does the Right to be Forgotten Apply to Companies House?
Generally, the Right to Be Forgotten does not apply to official records. This means that information published on the Companies House website typically cannot be removed, nor will it be deleted from Google or other search engines. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as:
- If you applied for a Person at Risk of Violence (PARV) order.
- If there's a Threat to Life Notice (formerly an Osman warning).
- It may be possible to remove third-party content about your public records.
If your business fails due to bankruptcy, this will be recorded on publicly accessible registers, such as The London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazette and the Insolvency Register. While you cannot erase official registration details from these records, the Right to Be Forgotten can help you address and remove subsequent outdated, misleading, or damaging links and articles that may appear in search results.
For more information about what happens if a business goes bankrupt and how the Right to Be Forgotten applies in this context, please view our dedicated page: ‘The UK’s right to be forgotten laws and bankruptcy’.
How to Request Google Removals Using the Right to be Forgotten.
Anyone can apply for the Right to Be Forgotten directly with Google, and we provide a free guide that outlines the steps for a DIY approach. However, navigating this process can be complex and often demands detailed legal arguments, including:
- How these articles are directly harming your personal and professional reputation.
- Evidencing that no criminal charges resulted and that you did not face a Company Director Disqualification (unless that has expired).
- Proof that this content is outdated, incorrect or no longer in the public interest.
- If you were the director of a closed company, you must prove it was a separate entity from you as a private individual.
- Evidence of your employment in a different industry may also be required.
It’s also important to note that the Right to Be Forgotten is not absolute. Your request to delete articles from Google about your business failure could be refused, especially if your privacy rights conflict with the public’s right to know. To present your case effectively, you should engage a specialist privacy lawyer.
Ready to Move Forward?
Speak to Internet Erasure Today
As experts in the Right to be Forgotten, our team knows how to avoid the pitfalls of deleting articles from Google. With this expertise, we’ve helped over 1,200 clients remove 70,000 damaging links from Google and various platforms. Don’t just take our word for it – we’re the only company specialising in this area with an excellent rating on Trustpilot!
If the shadow of your past business failure still affects you, please contact us for a free consultation. We carefully evaluate each case and accept only those we are confident we can help. This allows us to fully commit to removing harmful links, regardless of the number of submissions, reviews, or appeals required.
Begin the process by emailing [email protected], calling 0333 252 0923, or messaging via SMS or WhatsApp at 07565 130 116. Alternatively, submit a convenient initial enquiry form, and we’ll respond promptly.
