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Google is expanding its Search “Results about you” removal tools to let users request takedowns of additional sensitive content appearing in search results, including government-issued IDs (e.g., passport, driver’s license, and Social Security number) and explicit images. The feature is rolling out in the US first and requires users to provide the same categories of personal data to Google so it can proactively scan for matches and notify users when the information appears, enabling a removal request.
Separately, reporting said Google provided personal, account, and financial metadata about a student journalist to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in response to an administrative subpoena that was not judge-approved and reportedly included a gag order. The disclosed data allegedly included usernames, physical addresses, IP addresses, phone numbers, subscriber identifiers, and linked payment details (credit card and bank account numbers), highlighting how administrative subpoenas can be used to obtain identifying information from tech providers even when they cannot compel disclosure of content like emails or search history.
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Google also began rolling out options in many countries for users to request removal of non-consensual explicit images from Search results and to opt into protections intended to block similar explicit results in the future.
Google announced an expansion of its 'Results about you' tool to let users request removal of government-issued ID information, such as passport, driver's license, and Social Security number details, from Google Search results, with rollout beginning in the United States.
Google reportedly disclosed extensive personal, financial, and account-related information about Amandla Thomas-Johnson to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in response to an administrative subpoena that was not judge-approved and included a gag order.
Amandla Thomas-Johnson, a British student and journalist, attended a pro-Palestinian protest at Cornell University in 2024. This later became the context for a U.S. government data request about her.
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Google rolled out expanded Search controls aimed at reducing harm from **non-consensual explicit imagery** (including AI-generated deepfakes) and exposure of **sensitive personal identifiers**. Users can now request de-indexing of explicit images of themselves directly from Search results (e.g., via the three-dot menu → `Remove result` → “It shows a sexual image of me”), submit multiple images in one request, indicate whether content is real or a deepfake, and access links to legal and emotional support resources during the process. Google also added an opt-in safeguard intended to proactively filter similar explicit results from appearing in future searches. Google also enhanced the *Results about you* hub to monitor and help remove Search results containing government-issued ID numbers, including **Social Security numbers**, **driver’s license numbers**, **passport numbers**, and similar identifiers. Users provide the contact details and ID numbers they want monitored; when matching results appear in Search, Google notifies the user so they can request removal. Google emphasized that removing a result from Search does not delete the underlying content from the web, and that requests are subject to internal security/privacy checks to reduce misuse.
Jun 29, 2026
Reporting indicates the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has significantly increased its use of **administrative subpoenas**—which do not require judicial approval—to obtain identifying information for anonymous social media accounts that criticize **ICE** or post information about ICE agent locations. According to the New York Times (as cited by TechCrunch), DHS sent **hundreds** of subpoenas to major platforms including **Google, Meta, Reddit, and Discord**, and some companies reportedly complied in at least some cases; Google said it notifies users when possible and challenges subpoenas it views as **overbroad**. Separately, a court filing disclosed that the **IRS improperly overshared** immigrants’ personal data with DHS/ICE under an April 2025 IRS–DHS data-sharing arrangement intended to support certain non-tax criminal investigations under **IRC Section 6103** exceptions. After ICE requested **1.28 million** addresses, the IRS could verify **47,289** individuals, and for a subset (reported as **under 5%** of verified matches) the IRS mistakenly provided ICE with **additional address information** beyond what ICE had supplied, raising concerns that the interagency data-sharing deal increased exposure of sensitive taxpayer information.
Jun 29, 2026
Google upgraded its *Results About You* safety feature to detect and request removal of additional sensitive identifiers exposed in Search results, including government ID numbers such as **passport numbers, driver’s license numbers, and Social Security numbers**. The update also streamlines Google’s process for reporting and removing **non-consensual explicit imagery (NCEI)**, including deepfakes and other AI-generated sexualized content, reflecting increased platform focus on limiting the discoverability of highly sensitive personal data and abusive imagery. Discord announced it will begin requiring **age verification** for access to adult content globally, using either an **ID upload** or an **AI-based video selfie** to estimate age. Discord stated that verification data will not be retained by Discord or its verification provider, claiming face scans will not be collected and ID images will be deleted after verification, highlighting ongoing industry movement toward stronger identity/age-gating controls alongside privacy assurances about data handling.
Jun 29, 2026