Imagine being able to erase parts of your online history – whether it’s an outdated news headline, an embarrassing Facebook post, or some private data you no longer wish to be out there. The right to be forgotten (RTBF) allows you to do that.
RTBF is a legal right that gives individuals the power to request their personal information be erased from search engines or other online sources if it’s no longer necessary or relevant. The right was implemented under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and is applied primarily in Europe. However, other countries, including Canada and parts of the U.S., are considering such privacy laws.
Revealing statistics
- 74% of internet users say they have worried about their online trail at one point or another.
- Over 1.3 million RTBF requests have been submitted to Google since 2014, and 45% of them have succeeded in having the content deleted.
- 60% of HR professionals searched online for candidates before hiring. That cringeworthy tweet from 2012? Yeah, it may still be catching up with you.
Maintaining control
Digital privacy isn’t about erasing history – it’s about reclaiming the narrative of your own existence in an era where pixels have memory longer than human forgiveness.
Your online identity is a living, breathing ecosystem where past whispers shouldn’t dictate future echoes. The right to be forgotten isn’t about digital amnesia, but about giving individuals the power to curate their own story, one deleted trace at a time.
The internet never forgets… until now
Google has processed over 1.3 million requests to remove content under RTBF since the Google Spain vs AEPD case in 2014. It doesn’t just remove everything automatically – it weighs public interest against personal privacy. For example: A scam artist’s past crimes? It’s probably going to stay public. An adolescent’s old social media update about a high school breakup? More likely to come down.
Facebook (now Meta) also has a data deletion policy where users can permanently request the removal of single posts, images, or entire accounts. Facebook has been reported to retain some metadata even when users request deletion, raising questions about how much it honors RTBF.
Not everything is black and white
Challenge: One of the biggest challenges with RTBF is the grey area between privacy and public interest. Should a politician be able to erase past controversies? How about a convicted criminal who has served their time?
Resolution:
- Stricter legal regimes that define what qualifies for removal.
- Technology firms’ transparency on how they handle RTBF requests.
- Individual responsibility, like double-checking before sharing sensitive data on the internet.
Going off the grid
- Google yourself: Check what is out there before requesting removal.
- Submit an RTBF request: Use Google’s or a specific website’s data erasure form.
- Reach out to websites directly: Some websites will delete content if asked.
- Opt-out of data broker sites: DeleteMe services might help.
- Stay alert: Be careful what you post in the future.
