5 risks : Google results containing personal photos
The display of personal images on Google can pose some dangers if you keep them there permanently. It is possible for scammers and malicious people to analyze the metadata of photos that are made available on search engines, and so discover sensitive information about the routines of users. Additionally, there is also the possibility of real-life identity theft being used to create fake accounts on social networks such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram and to conduct financial scams using the images of the victims posted on those platforms. In some cases, advertisements can still use pictures taken from the web without the consent of the users of the website, or in extreme cases, the pictures can be modified for the purpose of trafficking in pornographic images by scammers.
As a matter of fact, there are methods available to remove personal photos from the search engine, so it is worth mentioning that. Users can choose to get in touch with the website webmaster who is hosting the picture, or they can directly contact Google in order to have the picture removed. Here are some of the risks associated with having your personal photos displayed on Google searches.
1.Using metadata to gain a deeper understanding of you and your routine
Metadata is known as EXIF (Exchangeable image file format). Metadata provides information about an image’s technical characteristics. As well as providing information regarding the time and location of the photo’s capture, they also provide information regarding the device used to capture it.
The consequence of this is that when a personal image is posted on Google, the metadata is also publicly available, thus revealing the privacy of the subject of the image.
As well as technical information, the photo contains elements that can provide insight into a person’s daily routine. Because metadata includes a variety of information, malicious people are able to find out where victims frequent, where they live, where they work, what their hobbies are, among other pertinent details.
2. Identity theft
A further danger of photos appearing on search engines is that they might be able to use your identity on the web by stealing your photos. It is possible for cybercriminals to create fake profiles on the Internet using someone else’s images in order to use the profiles for different purposes. The use of photography to make fake accounts in social networks like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter is also possible, as well as fake accounts on dating sites and apps, such as Tinder. Occasionally, it is also possible for the image to be used to solicit money from friends or family of the victim, who may be asked for a sum of money.
3. Improper use of your photo in advertisements
In some cases, photos from Google’s search engine in which the people in the photo have been photographed may end up being used in advertisements without the consent of the people in the image. In similar circumstances, a blogger named Carol Lins became aware of her image being used in advertisements with some frequency shortly after she published a 3×4 portrait online.
By posting the photo on her social media account, the influencer intended to show her followers how to take 3×4 portraits at home instead of spending money at a professional photographer’s studio. As a curious – and tragic – fact, Carol’s picture, which had been taken from an advertisement for a store that provides this kind of service, ended up appearing precisely in the ads for said stores.
4. Manipulation of the photograph by other users
There is also the possibility that photos displayed in Google searches have been edited and placed in embarrassing contexts, such as images that refer to pornography, in more extreme cases. During the year 2019, there was a notorious case of this type of crime that took place in the city of Lucas do Rio Verde in Mato Grosso. In those days, there were a number of cases where scammers were using pornographic montages to blackmail their victims, and the police investigated several of these cases. This false material was possessed by the criminals, and they offered money for the removal of sexual content from the Internet, in exchange for this false material.
5. Harassment and stalking
Last but not least, people who are employing search engines to find personal photos can also become the target of online harassment and persecution when their images appear in search engine results. As a result, it is recommended to keep your social media profiles private in order to avoid the dangers of cyberbullying and cyberstalking and to increase your safety on the Internet. It is also advisable to not publish content in real time, hide certain posts from unwanted people, and not publish certain posts in real time in order to protect your privacy. It is through this method that personal images will be less likely to be exposed in search engines, such as Google, than through other means.
How To Request Photo Removal By Google?
You can remove an image of yours from the results of a Google search in two different ways, according to Google’s instruction: contacting the website owner or directly requesting that the image be removed from the search engine. The first step will be taught to you step by step here. This can be done by following the steps below:
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If you are using a PC or mobile phone, open your browser and type in the website “https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/4628134?hl=pt” (without any quotes) into the address bar;
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The next step is to scroll down to the “Step 2” section;
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To open the removal request form, choose the option that most closely relates to your case;
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Fill out the form completely with all the necessary information and data. You should tap “Submit” after completing the form and wait for Google to respond once Google has done so.
I am Anand Kumar, a dedicated content writer specializing in troubleshooting in technology. With a passion for problem-solving and a deep understanding of various technical domains, I am here to provide you with comprehensive solutions to your technological challenges.
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