You’ve heard of it, but perhaps you’re unsure what the Right to be Forgotten on Google means.  Let CTRL+ALT+DEL help you get to grips with this important law, which relates to the removal of defamatory and slanderous content posted online about you (but take note, it doesn’t include content about your business).  It’s necessary to understand what it means, because it is the law against posting negative content that could impact your good reputation.

The History of the Right to be Forgotten

The Right to be Forgotten is a law that relates to having private or personal data removed from online searches (specifically Google) as well as from online directories. You may hear the law referred to as the Right to Erasure or RTBF, which is its short form. However, the law can only be exercised under specific circumstances.  

The law first came into force in the EU in May 2014 following a spectacular case in Spain concerning Mario Costeja Gonzalez who failed to delete an auction notice of his repossessed home on a website in Catalonia, therefore he brought a case against Google and won. RTBF is a part of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and under Article 17 of UK GDPR, you have the right to have your personal data erased.  Don’t worry, Brexit has not affected your rights if you live in the UK, the Right to be Forgotten still stands.  It’s worth bearing in mind that the right only applies to information online at the time a request is made.  Any future data about you does not apply.  

When You Might Want to Use RTBF

There are many reasons why you may want to exercise The Right to be Forgotten.  For example, if you’ve been involved in a petty crime and your name is mentioned online in relation to the activity.  Or, if you’ve been the victim of revenge porn, for example.  It specifically relates to information online that could impact your reputation.

Take Control of What’s Online About You

Under GDPR, you have more control over what is put online about you.  You also have more control over any data that’s stored about you by third parties (social media networks, publications and retailers for example).  If an organisation holds unnecessary data about you, they could be subject to hefty fines.

Requesting the Right to be Forgotten

Any person who experiences online defamation has the civil right to request that information is removed.  It relates to any content, whether it’s a video, image, text or other and removes it so it can’t be found through search results. Should you wish to exercise your Right to be Forgotten, a company is legally obliged to comply as quickly as possible or face a fine mentioned above.  There is a caveat though, it relates to irrelevant or no longer relevant or outdated information only.

Can You Use the Right to be Forgotten for Business?

In short, no.  RTBF only applies to personal information online.  If you’re a business, you cannot request your information be removed using this law.  If you wish to make a personal request, you can access the form here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/legal-removal-request?complaint_type=rtbf. 

I’m a Business – What Else Can I Do?

Unfortunately, you can’t use RTBF to remove defamation online or negative reviews if you’re a business but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to remove slanderous information online.  There are a few other options that can help you fix the issue:

1. Reach out to the review poster, if you know who they are and ask if you can resolve the situation (if you think you can).  Ask them to remove the negative content once you’ve resolved it.
2. Get in touch with the website displaying the content.  This could be a review site, a social media platform or other.  There are usually steps you can take to request removal although you will have to submit information to back-up your request.
3. Use CTRL+ALT+DEL Reputation Management to remove the negative content.  It’s an affordable, efficient service that replaces negative content with alternative, positive content and ensures your good name is highly ranked on Google, therefore improving your reputation.
4. File a lawsuit, although this is costly, time-consuming and does not guarantee that you will win your case.

You Can Get Rid of Defamatory Content

Without doubt, it is enormously stressful when something defamatory is placed online about you, in a personal and in a business capacity.  However, it is also reassuring to know that there are specific steps you can take to remove it.  For the swiftest response and to remove any tarnished reputation, reputation management is the best way to move forwards.  It allows you to take control and fix the situation with minimum anxiety and maximum success.  To get anything negative written about you or your business removed, take control together with CTRL+ALT+DEL