Bing introduces 'right to be forgotten' forms for EU web users
Microsoft search engine Bing has followed rival Google in giving European web users 'the right to be forgotten' by launching a data removal application web page.
Bing's is worth 10% of Google in Europe
The development follows the news that Bing and Ask were asked to follow Google’s lead when it came to data removal requests.
The online form gives EU residents the chance to censor web searches of their names.The requester will have to provide personal details such as their name, address and “role in society or community”.
They will then have to provide the web addresses they want blocked in addition to the reason why. These can include information that is: “Inaccurate or false, incomplete or inadequate, out-of-date or no longer relevant or excessive or otherwise inappropriate.”
Requesters will have to provide reasoning and evidence for the removals, to ensure the information comes under any of the above definitions.
The form says: “We encourage you to provide complete and relevant information for each applicable question on this form. We will use the information that you provide to evaluate your request. We may also consider other sources of information beyond this form to verify or supplement the information you provide.
“This information will help us to consider the balance between your individual privacy interest and the public interest in protecting free expression and the free availability of information, consistent with European law. As a result, making a request does not guarantee that a particular search result will be blocked.”
Bing added that minors can submit their own forms or have a parent or guardian do it for them.
In a disclaimer, the form stateed that because the European Court of Justice's 'right to be forgotten' ruling was recent, it may change the application process or revaluate rejected cases over time.
Google has had over 70,000 removal requests so far, but sites such as Hidden from Google, are cataloging censored stories to ensure search engines are not infringing upon the right to free speech.
The data will still be available to searchers outside of the EU.