Google panel backs firm on EU limit to right to be forgotten


BURNING QUESTION: Should Google implement the "right to be forgotten" ruling worldwide or just Europe?

BRUSSELS: A panel of experts appointed by Google to advise it on how to implement an EU ruling ordering it to remove links to some personal information from search results has backed the company's view that links be removed only from websites in the EU.

EU regulators have taken a different view.

Google set up its eight-member panel last year to draw up a report on how to implement the surprise "right to be forgotten" ruling from the European Court of Justice in May. The conclusion had been expected.

The panel judged that the Internet search giant should only remove links to personal information deemed inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant from its European Union websites, such as google.de in Germany or google.fr in France.

That puts the Advisory Council at odds with the EU's data protection regulators. They said Google should remove links worldwide, including from google.com.

"It concludes that removal from nationally directed versions of Google’s search services within the EU is the appropriate means to implement the Ruling at this stage." the council said in the report.

The panel, which includes a former German justice minister and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, held public hearings across Europe. — Reuters

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read