Overview
Google introduced the “Results About You” tool in 2022 to help users find and delete personal information such as phone numbers, email addresses, and home addresses from Google Search. In 2024 the tool received a major upgrade that adds three new categories of sensitive data: driver’s licenses, passports, and Social Security numbers.
New Supported Data Types
- Driver’s license numbers
- Passport numbers
- Social Security numbers (SSN)
These additions target the most critical forms of government‑issued identification that can be abused if exposed online.
How to Use the Tool
1. Click “Get started” in the Results About You hub.
2. Enter the names, aliases, phone numbers, and email addresses you want to monitor.
3. On the next page, add any or all of the three government ID types you wish to protect.
4. Google will scan Search results for matches and send alerts.
Alerts appear as push notifications on your smartphone and can also be delivered via email, allowing you to act within a few taps.
Security Measures
Google states it uses advanced encryption and rigorous security protocols to safeguard the sensitive data you submit. The information is stored securely and only used to match against public Search results.
Limitations & What Removal Means
Removing data from Google Search does not erase it from the broader internet. The tool ensures the information is no longer displayed in Google Search results, providing a layer of protection against malicious actors who might otherwise exploit the data.
Availability
The expanded tool is rolling out in the United States over the coming days, with plans to bring it to additional regions in the future, though exact timelines have not been announced.