Here's how to ask Google to remove a minor's photos from search results.
Η better safety of children is one of the most important issues on the internet today. The pictures of children can appear in search results after first being discovered on social media sites, local news sites or blogs.
Fortunately, Google offers a feature to combat this ever-growing issue. If you come across an image of a minor in Google search results, you can request that the image be removed. See how you can do it.
How to ask Google to remove a picture of a minor
Step 1: Go to special Google support page to request the removal of personal information.
If for some reason you do not see this page in your language, in the lower part of it you can choose the display language you want.
Step 2: Fill out the form to mention the image you want removed. Make sure you select “Images of a person under 18” from the “I want to remove” section.
Step 3: In the form, include information such as the URLs of any images you want to remove, the URLs of any search results pages that contain the images, and any search query terms for which the images appear.
Step 4: Do click on the Submit button to send the request to Google.
After you submit the request, Google will review the request and contact you if it needs additional information to verify that it meets the requirements for removal.
Google will notify you once it has removed the image. Might be worth a visit Google help page about the policy for a more detailed explanation of the requirements you will need to meet to successfully remove an image.
On this page you should briefly ensure that:
- The URLs you submit are the URL of the image, not the website.
- The image you are reporting includes an identifiable person under the age of 18.
- You are the underage in the photograph or their parent, guardian or authorized representative.
Please note that submitting the form does not guarantee that the image will be removed. The form is a request sent to Google. The company will then review the information on the form and take appropriate action.
Who can ask Google to remove images of minors?
Any minor can request to have their image removed from Google search results. This is probably the least likely scenario to use the feature, as minors may not even know their image is online.
The parents, guardians or authorized representatives may also request the removal of an image of a minor from Google search results. This is a much more likely scenario, should you come across an image of your child or client online.
Although specific definitions of a minor may vary between countries, Google classifies a person under the age of 18 as a minor. The person in the photo is required to be a minor, and it doesn't matter if the person is now over 18
