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By The Net Reputation Global Team | Read Time: 5 Minutes
If you have ever wished you could simply “delete” a past mistake from the internet, you are thinking of the Right to Be Forgotten (RTBF).
But in 2025, this term is often misunderstood. Is it a magic wand that scrubs your history? Or is it a complex legal request that only works in Europe?
At Net Reputation Global (NRG), we handle hundreds of removal requests monthly. We find that 80% of “denied” requests happen because the applicant didn’t understand where the law applies or how to argue their case to Google.
This guide clarifies exactly who qualifies for erasure, how the process works, and what to do if you live outside the protection zones.
The Core Concept: It’s Not About “Rewriting History”
Legally known as the Right to Erasure (GDPR Article 17), this regulation compels search engines to delist results that are “inadequate, irrelevant, or excessive.”
Key Distinction: It does not usually delete the article from the newspaper’s website. It deletes the link from Google’s search results when someone searches your name.
- The Result: The article still exists, but nobody can find it unless they know the exact URL.
Who Actually Qualifies? (The Geography Trap)
The single biggest mistake we see is American clients trying to use European laws. Here is where the Right to Be Forgotten applies in 2025:
1. The “Green Zone” (Strong Protection)
- European Union (GDPR): The strongest protections globally.
- United Kingdom (UK-GDPR): Post-Brexit, the rights remain largely identical.
- Argentina: Strong legal precedents for “digital memory.”
2. The “Gray Zone” (Conditional Protection)
- Canada: Following the Google v. OPC reference, de-indexing is possible but harder.
- California (USA): The “Delete Act” and CCPA allow you to force data brokers to delete your info, but they do not grant a broad right to scrub news articles from Google Search (unlike the EU).
Expert Insight: If you are a US resident, citing “GDPR Article 17” in your removal request to Google will lead to an automatic rejection. You must use different legal frameworks (like DMCA or Terms of Service violations) to achieve a similar result.
Step-by-Step: How to Submit a Valid Request
If you are in a qualifying region (or have dual citizenship), do not just send an angry email. Google’s legal team reviews these based on specific criteria.
Step 1: Locate the URLs
You cannot say “remove everything about me.” You must provide the exact list of URLs (e.g., www.news-site.com/article-name).
Step 2: Choose the Correct “Grounds for Removal”
Google asks why this should be removed. “It’s embarrassing” is not a valid reason. “It is outdated and causing disproportionate harm” is.
- Good Argument: “This bankruptcy happened 12 years ago; I have since rebuilt my credit, and this link prevents me from getting a job.”
- Bad Argument: “I don’t like this photo.”
Step 3: The “Public Interest” Test
This is where most requests fail. Google balances your privacy against the public’s “right to know.”
- Hard to Remove: Crimes related to professional life (fraud, malpractice), political corruption, or recent serious felonies.
- Easier to Remove: Spent convictions, minor crimes from years ago, or private family matters exposed in public.
The “Splinternet” Problem: Why Removal Might Not Be Global
Here is the technical reality: If you win a Right to Be Forgotten case in Germany, Google will remove the link from google.de and google.fr.
However, the link may remain visible on google.com (the US version). This means a recruiter in Berlin won’t see your past, but a recruiter in New York might.
How We Solve This at NRG
For global clients, a simple GDPR request is rarely enough. We utilize a “Multi-Jurisdictional Approach”:
- EU: File standard RTBF requests.
- USA/Global: Target the host of the content directly, or utilize “Copyright” (DMCA) and “Terms of Service” violations to de-index the content from Google.com.
Conclusion: Do It Once, Do It Right
A failed removal request is permanently recorded by Google. If you submit the same request again, it is often auto-rejected.
Before you press “Submit” on Google’s web form, ask yourself:
- Am I using the right law for my country?
- Have I clearly explained why the harm outweighs the public interest?
Need a strategy check? Book a confidential consultation with NRG’s Removal Team.
