A news article or review about you can stay in Google results for years. In the UK, data protection law and some rules about old convictions give people certain rights. How far those rights go depends on the facts, and there are no guaranteed outcomes.
The legal starting points
- UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Article 17 provides a right to erasure in certain situations, and search engines can be treated as responsible for how they list information about a person. Exceptions apply, including freedom of expression and the public interest.
- Spent convictions. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, many convictions become “spent” after a set period, and the information may become less relevant in some situations.
- Defamation. The Defamation Act 2013 requires a claimant to show serious harm, and strict time limits apply to claims.
Delisting is not the same as deleting
A search engine can sometimes be asked to stop showing a page for searches on your name. The article itself usually stays on the publisher’s website and may still appear for other searches. Decisions involve a balance between your privacy and the public interest in the information, so outcomes vary.
The role of the ICO
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s data protection regulator. It handles complaints about how personal data is used, and it can look at how organisations have handled a request. The ICO does not decide whether a news story is fair.
What affects the outcome
- How old the information is and whether it is still relevant.
- Whether it concerns a public role or a private matter.
- Whether it is accurate, and whether the conviction is spent.
- The nature of the publisher, for example journalism.
Where reputation work fits
When the information stays online, accurate new content and good profiles can change what appears for your name. This takes time, and results vary. Spanish readers can compare the position in our guide on Spain.
Related reading: our content removal overview, search suppression, and removal vs suppression. You can also see our packages.
Frequently asked questions
Does a spent conviction disappear from Google?
Not automatically. It becomes spent in law, but news pages can remain online. Whether a search engine will stop listing a page depends on the circumstances.
Can I ask for any article to be taken down?
No. Articles that are accurate and in the public interest are often treated differently from outdated or inaccurate ones, and publishers have their own rights.
Do you guarantee a result?
No. We do not guarantee outcomes. Search engines, publishers and courts make their own decisions, and we tell you what is realistic before you commit.
This article is general information about the United Kingdom, not legal advice. Laws change, so speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation.