Privacy watchdog takes Google to court over ‘right to be forgotten’ case

Canada’s privacy commissioner has initiated legal proceedings against Google over the matter of individuals’ rights to have specific search results removed, following the search giant’s refusal to comply with previous recommendations. This ongoing dispute, which began in 2017, centers on articles pertaining to a criminal charge that was subsequently dismissed, a situation the affected individual claims led to tangible harm.

In their earlier assessment, the privacy commissioner’s office determined that Google would not carry out its suggested removal of specific search results for the individual’s name, despite the articles remaining accessible online through other search queries. The watchdog has now petitioned the Federal Court to enforce its earlier recommendations.

Google has contended that the case raises concerns about freedom of expression, which were not resolved by the courts, and indicated its willingness to address these matters in court. The privacy commissioner’s office seeks the court’s intervention to adhere to its prior advice.