After Google's rating: User can soon apply for deletion of links

Following the historic judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union  Google is working on a way to allow users to request the deletion of unwanted links. In just a few weeks a solution for all Europeans will be presented.

Critics warn of the abuse and censorship potential that lies in the judgment, while privacy advocates celebrate mainly a triumph of privacy. Both have their permission. For Google itself the judgment has especially far-reaching consequences and requires a rethink that started apparently very quickly, same now increasing reports of user requests, the contents want to have removed from the Google search.

At the appropriate places (including the Google headquarters in Hamburg) are, according to the New York Times already been received immediately after the verdict, numerous deletion requests - many times more than what had been customary in the past. As BBC News reports, there were already problematic deletion request, among other things a politician who will stand for re-election and wanted to improve its image by the targeted removal of links about his behavior in office. Even a man who was convicted of possession of images showing the rape of children, therefore, asked for deletion of links that point to the conviction. Finally asked a doctor for removal of negative patient reviews.

Here, the potential downsides of this great triumph for the privacy suggest, because the judgment is kept relatively vague and are hardly specific guidelines. So abuse potential is given by Google and, where appropriate, the courts will need to be sensitive.