Google Solicits Feedback On Right To Be Forgotten

Google, which has explained that implementing the EU’s new Right To Be Forgotten mandate has been difficult, has opened up a new form allowing the general public to offer it advice.

Google’s new form invites Google users to submit their thoughts and feedback on the Court of Justice of the European Union mandate for the Right To Be Forgotten. The question posed by Google is:

How should one person’s right to be forgotten be balanced with the public’s right to know?

Google then explains in more detail:

A recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union found that European law gives people the right to ask search engines like Google to remove results for queries that include their name.

Since then, we’ve received removal requests on all sorts of content: serious criminal records, embarrassing photos, instances of online bullying and name-calling, decades-old allegations, negative press stories, and more.

For each of these requests, we’re required to weigh, on a case-by-case basis, an individual’s right to be forgotten with the public’s right to know.

We want to strike this balance right. This obligation is a new and difficult challenge for us, and we’re seeking advice on the principles Google ought to apply when making decisions on individual cases. That’s why we’re convening a council of experts.

We’re just getting started, but during this process we also want to hear your input, too — this is all about your rights online, and the Internet provides an incredible forum for discussion and debate.

On the same page where the form is, Google also explains the final make-up of the advisory committee is announced last month. It will be:

• Prof. Luciano Floridi
• Sylvie Kauffmann
• Lidia Kolucka-Zuk
• Frank La Rue
• José-Luis Piñar
• Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger
• Peggy Valcke
• Jimmy Wales
• Eric Schmidt
• David C. Drummond

For more details and to give Google your two-cents, see google.com/advisorycouncil.