Google is stepping up its efforts to protect users from identity theft, a crucial move in the ongoing battle against scammers.
The tech giant has discreetly enhanced its “Results about you” tool as of February 10. This update broadens its capabilities, enabling users to remove even more sensitive personal information from search results, such as passport numbers, driver’s license numbers, and Social Security numbers. This is an addition to the previously covered phone numbers, emails, and home addresses.
The update is timely, given that in 2025, the FTC reported 3 million fraud incidents, resulting in a collective loss of $15.9 billion to scammers. This was highlighted by FTC Associate Director Lois Greisman during her testimony to the Joint Economic Committee.
Identity theft can wreak havoc on victims beyond financial loss. Scammers may impersonate victims to secure jobs, obtain medical services, claim government benefits, accrue credit card debt, or even involve the stolen identity in criminal investigations.
The update is being gradually introduced to US English users over several weeks.
To implement the new feature on a Google App or web browser, users can visit myactivity.google.com/results-about-you, where a step-by-step guide is available.
Additionally, Google has introduced a quicker method for removing non-consensual explicit images. According to a blog post by Google, “We understand that removing existing content is only part of the solution. For added protection, the new process allows you to opt-in to safeguards that will proactively filter out any additional explicit results that might appear in similar searches.”
Users need only click on the three dots on an image, select “remove result,” and then choose “It shows a sexual image of me.”
These features are currently available for users aged 18 and older.
To request the removal of a result displaying personal information for someone under 18, users should use the detailed removal request form.
The process initiates immediately once the form is submitted.
