Skip to main content

Google to hold public debates about ‘right to be forgotten’ throughout Europe

google area 21 hq
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Google will be holding a series of public debates about the European Union’s “right to be forgotten” ruling, which allows people in the E.U. to request Google to take down Web pages which may paint them in an unsavory light, the BBC reports.

Related: Google launches “right to be forgotten” form for Europe-based users

The debates will include input from an “advisory council” set up by Google, which will be tasked with collecting feedback on the issue from Europeans who come from a wide number of industries and backgrounds. They’ll include contributions from people in government, media, tech, academia, and other sectors as well.

The council itself is made up of a 10-member body, and includes Google exec Eric Schmidt, Wikimedia founder Jimmy Wales, and a collection of people whose backgrounds include education, law, ethics, politics, and other areas as well.

Google says that it is holding these debates because the tech giant wants some help on how it should straddle the fence between protecting people’s privacy, and the public’s right to access certain information.

Related: Google restores links removed due to “right to be forgotten” ruling

“We want to strike this balance right,” Google says. “This obligation is a new and difficult challenge for us, and we’re seeking advice on the principles Google ought to apply when making decisions on individual cases.”

The first debate is scheduled to commence September 9 in Madrid, Spain. The debates will be live streamed, and they’ll also be provided as audio recordings in multiple languages (including English).

You can also participate in the debate by filling out a form located towards the bottom of this Google page.

Konrad Krawczyk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…
How to delete messages on your Mac
A MacBook and iPhone in shadow on a surface.

Apple likes to make things easy for its iPhone, iPad, and macOS devotees. When signed in with the same Apple ID on more than one of these devices, you’ll be able to sync your messages from one Apple product to the next. This means when you get a text on your iPhone, you’ll be able to pull it up through the Messages app on your Mac desktop.

Read more
The best laptop brands for 2024
best laptop brands hp spectre x360 13  2021 1

If you like to write, browse, game, or work in different parts of your home or office, one of the best laptops is a necessity in 2024. There are many to choose from, but you can first narrow your options by looking at laptops from the most established and respected brands.

Here's a list of the best laptop brands in 2024 to get you started.
Dell

Read more
Amazon deals: TVs, laptops, headphones and more
iPad Air on a white background.

Amazon is one of the most popular retailers on the planet. It has almost anything and everything you could hope to shop for, and that includes tech like laptops, headphones, TVs, and even devices made to make life around the home a little easier. And whether you’re shopping for one of the best smart home devices or something more tailored to work or play, Amazon always shows up with ways to save. Right now it has a ton of laptop deals, TV deals, headphone deals, and more to shop. We’ve walked down the aisles of Amazon and picked out what we feel are some deals worth shopping, so read onward for more details.
Vizio 50-inch V-Series 4K smart TV — $223, was $360

The Vizio V-Series 4K Smart TV amazing picture quality for its price point, as well as a wide variety of smart features. It has an IQ Active Processor that delivers superior picture processing. This processor also enables the TV to upscale all of your favorite HD content into 4K quality as you watch. This TV also features a gaming engine that makes gameplay more responsive with less lag and a high refresh rate. This is something to consider if you’re a gamer and somebody who likes to watch fast-paced content such as sports and action movies.

Read more