Google Ordered by the UK to Remove Links To “Right to Be Forgotten” News

Google’s “Right to be Forgotten” initiative is definitely a noble one as it removes all irrelevant or outdated links pointing to certain individuals. However, as you can probably imagine, Google was swarmed with countless requests, and even though it managed to fulfill most of them, the search giant eventually did something that made the whole business redundant: it added links to news stories regarding the removals. The problem is that many of these news stories actually included the names of those who requested the removals as well as their past misdemeanors, which is why a UK court is now ordering Google to remove links to stories about removing links. Yeah, I know how it sounds.

Initially, Google refused to remove search results pointing to stories about the “right to be forgotten” law, and it explained its decision by stating that censoring this content is a “matter of significant public informance.” On one hand, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office tends to agree, but it cannot stand idly while some of these cases are basically making a non-public person’s life an open book. The Commissioner’s Office released the following statement:

“Content relating to the decisions to delist search results may be newsworthy and in the public interest. However, that interest can be adequately and properly met without a search made on the basis of the complainant’s name.”

Google has 35 days to remove the links, but it also has the right to appeal the decision.

Thank you Engadget for providing us with this information.