Google Launches New Search Tools To Remove Deepfakes And Personal Data As India Tightens AI Rules

Google has introduced a series of new safety features in its Search platform aimed at helping users remove explicit images, deepfakes, and sensitive personal information more easily, as India moves toward stricter regulations around artificial intelligence and manipulated content. The update reflects growing global pressure on technology companies to strengthen protections against digital abuse and privacy violations in an era of rapidly advancing AI tools.

The newly launched system allows individuals to request the removal of non-consensual explicit material directly from Search results through a simplified process. Users can now click the menu icon next to a result, choose the removal option, and select the reason for the request, including cases involving intimate images or manipulated content. The streamlined approach is designed to reduce the time and effort previously required to file separate complaints for each link.

One of the major changes introduced by Google is the ability to submit bulk removal requests. Earlier, users had to report individual images or URLs separately, which often slowed down the process. With the new update, multiple results can be selected and reported simultaneously, allowing victims of online harassment or deepfake misuse to act more quickly. Once a request is submitted, progress can be tracked through a dedicated dashboard that provides updates and notifications.

The enhanced “Results about you” hub serves as a centralised platform where users can monitor removal requests and manage privacy-related concerns. It also introduces proactive alerts that notify individuals when sensitive personal details appear in Search results, enabling faster responses to potential threats. Google says the feature is particularly important in combating AI-generated deepfakes, which can reappear in altered forms even after original content is removed.

In addition to explicit imagery, the updated system expands the categories of removable information to include personal addresses, contact numbers, and certain government identification details. This move comes as regulators in India and other countries push for stronger accountability from digital platforms, including requirements for faster takedowns and clearer labelling of AI-generated content.

However, Google has clarified that removing a result from Search does not delete the content from the internet entirely. The original material remains hosted on the website where it was published unless the site itself takes separate action. Experts note that while search removal tools provide immediate relief by reducing visibility, broader cooperation across platforms is still necessary to fully address the spread of harmful content online.

The rollout of these safety measures is expected to expand gradually across multiple regions, including India, where authorities are intensifying oversight of artificial intelligence and online platforms. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, initiatives like these highlight the ongoing effort to balance innovation with user protection and digital privacy rights.