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What is the default position of Google in 2026?

Stersco83 — Mon, 25 May 2026 09:32:03 GMT

My 2016 voyeurism conviction (based on 2007 events), expired in 2022 (with 2022 and 2026 certificates to show for it), but I never got round to contacting Google over it -- I guess I thought I got lucky based on several facts:

1) Only several people on planet Earth know about the conviction so I felt there is more to lose by interacting with additional strangers e.g. at Google. I don't even want to bump up the article (make it profitable, high in search rankings) by clicking on it again or having others click on it, when it's possible nobody has clicked on it for 4+ years at least.
2) My article was recently buried under a "did you mean?" search page based on a similar sounding minor celebrity to me (actually my late uncle who I very cunningly created a Wikipedia page for in order to achieve exactly that effect, so a mini tactical victory I'm proud of there). (It's also a fitting tribute to a fine man!).
3) My colleague are foreigners, who lack the general knowledge necessary (name rarity, geography), to connect me with the article.

So my situation is not so urgent.

But now it seems like something has changed..I understand the right to be forgotten -- the Google link takedown option -- is a new procedure with new normals recently developed..

It seems like 5 years ago it was impossible to speak with confidence either way about what to expect.

Based on the glance over experiences here, it seems like Google are defaulting into taking down articles as a matter of routine? Or at least we can begin to know what to expect and what works best, based on patterns.

This makes me think it might be worthwhile. With my criminal record expired and my time on the register about to expire, it seems like this will be the final thread of my punishment expunged, leaving only a few bad memories in the minds of me and several others.

So, as of this hour, what should I do and how should I proceed, and what should I expect? What is the winning formulation?

P.S. The article is lurid enough to look like it is more completely in the public interest than it is, but I somehow I don't picture that point carrying a sympathetic ear. There's no "winning" version of that conversation.

RE: What is the default position of Google in 2026?

Stersco83 — Mon, 25 May 2026 09:32:03 GMT

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[b]Aradia - 24 May 26 8:46 PM[/b]

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[b]Stersco83 - 23 May 26 10:59 AM[/b]

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All I did was tell chat gpt the situation and id like to get rid of the links. It drafted up an email for me to send off. Within 24hours I got a response saying no problem we will delist these links for you. Then new links would pop up. Id explain could you get rid of these as well. Yep no problem. Then my name was coming up with "offense" "my town", I thought no way would they get rid of that as well. Considering it linked to about 9 other offenders on a viligate site. "yep sure no problem we will de list this as well". I was shocked to be honest. Now im finally able to move on from my past and get a job. I would say 100% go for it.

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"Then new links would pop up. Id explain could you get rid of these as well. Yep no problem. "

Also quick question -- how do you establish a continuity in the conversation? E.g. you already agreed with my initial case -- 2 months later -- I'm the same guy, can you delete this loose ends as well? Etc?

Do you have a "case number" or something? Because I don't remember seeing that in the form. What is the relevant form nowadays?

RE: What is the default position of Google in 2026?

Stersco83 — Mon, 25 May 2026 08:07:45 GMT

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[b]Aradia - 24 May 26 8:46 PM[/b]

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[b]Stersco83 - 23 May 26 10:59 AM[/b]

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Khafka - thanks I'll take a look

Aradia - do you have the winning template handy, and didn't they ask to see your clean CRB certificate?

RE: What is the default position of Google in 2026?

khafka — Mon, 25 May 2026 03:09:06 GMT

Since my offence became spent I've had no issues with Google removing stuff for me.

I actually documented my journey here: https://forum.unlock.org.uk/Topic34534.aspx - This might maybe help you see what to expect and stuff.

Haven't really had any success with Bing even when I got in touch with ICO (who have been utterly useless the two times I've tried to use them, one of the times being actively malicious too). I'll give Bing another go at some point but I'm gone from Google which is the main one folk use I guess.

RE: What is the default position of Google in 2026?

Aradia — Sun, 24 May 2026 20:46:01 GMT

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[b]Stersco83 - 23 May 26 10:59 AM[/b]

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