EU’s new rule: You have the right to erase inaccurate info about you.

Your “right to be forgotten” in the European Union has been expanded to cover inaccurate claims about you. The EU’s Court of Justice has ruled that search results must be removed when they are found to be “manifestly inaccurate.” While individuals making these requests will need to prove significant falsehoods, they will only be required to provide evidence that is deemed “reasonably” necessary. This ruling does not require a judicial ruling, and search engine creators cannot be forced to actively participate in the investigation.

Implications of the Ruling

The recent judgment was prompted by a case where two investment managers requested Google to remove search results linking to articles critical of their business model. Google initially declined the request, stating that it was unsure of the accuracy of the information. This ruling could impact the interpretation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, giving individuals the ability to remove not only private data but also content that is demonstrably false.

Remaining Questions

There are still uncertainties surrounding the ruling, particularly in relation to parody and content that contains errors. It remains unclear whether individuals can request the removal of content that is intended as satire or contains factual inaccuracies. Despite these lingering questions, the ruling sets a precedent that could shape future disputes in this area.