A few weeks on from ‘ right to be forgotten ’ being fully in place, journalists are in uproar about the clumsy introduction of the ‘ right to be forgotten ’ by the European Union. Journalist Robert Peston is up in arms as it was requested recently that an article he had published a mere 7 years ago be removed from Google as it is no longer relevant.
Since its introduction, 50,000 requests have been made for the removal of articles from Google’s search engines in Europe, of which Google is taking into consideration one by one.
The ‘Streisand Effect’ of the ‘ right to be forgotten ’ has been the latest concern amongst journalists, explained, the ‘Streisand Effect’ is the possible result of more website traffic being directed to posts that users seek to have removed because of internet users becoming more aware of them after concerned parties requesting their removal.
Google has even acknowledged recently that it has incorrectly removed several links sourced reliably and then reinstated them after uproar. Whilst Google have admitted to disagreeing with the ruling of the court, they respect its authority and are trying their hardest to comply as accurately as they can.
Bing has since followed Google and introduced a ‘ right to be forgotten ’ form which also invites users to apply for links to be blocked, the form also requests to know if the person filling out the form is a public figure, has a role that requires trust, leadership or safety.
As with Google, Bing is using the protocol of deciding whether the information is ‘inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant or excessive in relation to the purposes for which they were processed’, public interest must also be considered and decisions not to censor requested articles can be appealed in court.