A free Google tool designed to remove personal information from search results is being underutilized, leaving individuals vulnerable to having their addresses, phone numbers and other private data publicly accessible. The tool, known as “Results About You,” automatically alerts users when their specified personal information appears in Google search results, allowing them to request its removal.
The service gained prominence following reports in Hungarian media, including Dívány, highlighting the potential for anyone to discover an individual’s address through a simple Google search. The Dívány article emphasized the increasing prevalence of data brokers – companies that collect and sell personal information – and the security risks they pose.
Although Google offers the “Results About You” feature, its adoption remains surprisingly low. The tool functions by notifying users when data like email addresses or residential addresses are detected in search results. Users can then initiate a removal request directly through Google.
The availability of personal information online extends beyond data brokers. Hungary’s government has streamlined the process for reporting changes of address, with the government portal Kormányhivatalok offering guidance on the process. However, the act of reporting a change of address itself can create a public record, potentially contributing to the availability of personal data. Obtaining a latest lakcímkártya (residence card) – a document frequently required for official transactions – is now subject to a fee of 3,700 Forints as of February 1st, 2025, according to reports from Heol.hu. Previously, the issuance of these cards was free.
The lakcímkártya serves as official proof of residence and is legally required during police checks. The process for obtaining a new card, or updating existing information, is available at government service centers (kormányablakok), either in person or through a designated representative. The rules surrounding temporary residence (tartózkodási hely) differ from permanent residence (lakcím), with the former requiring a minimum stay of three months but not indicating an intention to permanently leave one’s primary residence, as outlined on zsebremegy.hu.
Despite the availability of tools like “Results About You” and the established procedures for managing residential information, the potential for unauthorized access to personal data remains a concern. Google has not released data on the number of users actively utilizing the “Results About You” feature, nor has it commented on plans to proactively increase awareness of the tool.
