Am I eligible for the Right to be Forgotten in the UK?
Removal guide
The answer
You may be eligible if a search result for your name contains personal data about you that is inaccurate, out of date, irrelevant or excessive. Search engines weigh your request against the public interest, considering your role in public life, how old and sensitive the information is, and whether it is journalism. Private individuals with old information have the strongest cases. Businesses cannot use this right.
Step by step
- Confirm the result is about you as an individualThe right protects personal data, not companies.
- Assess the public interestConsider your public role, the age of the information and whether it relates to professional conduct.
- Gather evidenceDates, changed circumstances, spent conviction status, and proof of any inaccuracy.
- Submit per URLGive a clear reason for each result.
- Review the outcomeIf refused, consider resubmitting with stronger reasons or complaining to the ICO.
UK, EU and US at a glance
| Jurisdiction | Position |
|---|---|
| UK | UK GDPR Article 17 with the Data Protection Act 2018. |
| EU | EU GDPR Article 17. |
| US | No equivalent federal right. |
Common mistakes
- Assuming public figures have the same prospects as private individuals
- Omitting evidence of changed circumstances
- Requesting delisting of content you are still actively involved in
When to get help. If the information concerns a conviction, court case or regulatory matter, or a first request was refused, expert preparation improves your chances. See Right to be Forgotten.
Start with a confidential conversation
Tell us as much or as little as you like. We sign an NDA before you share case details, and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.