Google to allow parents to wipe online images of their children

CHILDREN and their parents will be able to request that Google deletes their photographs from searches under policies being brought in by the company after criticism that it is failing to protect young people online.

The tech giant said it would update its range of removal tools in Google Search, enabling parents and under-18s to request that any image of them that appears in Google Images is deleted.

While the tool will not permanently delete images from the whole web, it will make them harder to find on the open internet. The feature is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.

The new tools will come into force as the data regulator introduces rules that will require UK firms to take greater steps to protect children browsing the web. The Information Commissioner’s Office is due to enforce new powers from September, called the Age Appropriate Design Code, that will place a duty on companies to make sure their websites are used by and tailored for specific age groups.

The regulator will have the power to fine companies up to 4 per cent of global turnover or £17.5million for the worst breaches of the new code.

Internet users already had the power to request that images be deleted from the web under the “right to be forgotten”, which was previously a feature of EU rules and now forms part of the UK’S data regime.

However, Google’s tools will go beyond this right, making it easier and faster to remove images of young people.