GDPR Right to Erasure – Remove Your Personal Data from Google – Free Expert Assessment
Under UK GDPR Article 17, you have the right to request erasure of personal data about you from Google and other online sources. This is not simply a policy preference or a request you can make informally — it is a legally enforceable right backed by the full weight of UK data protection law, ICO enforcement powers, and the courts. When exercised correctly and with the right legal arguments, it produces real, verified results.
Cohen Davis Solicitors specialise in making these rights work in practice, not just in theory. The difference between submitting a GDPR erasure request yourself and having a specialist solicitor do it on your behalf is significant. Google receives millions of requests. The vast majority are declined. The ones that succeed are those that are supported by clear, legally grounded arguments tailored to the specific category of data and the specific harm being caused — precisely what we provide.
We have obtained erasure from Google, from national newspapers, from data brokers, and from specialist aggregator sites across a wide range of personal data types. Our clients include private individuals, business owners, professionals, and public figures. The common thread is a determination to exercise a right that exists in law — and to have it properly enforced.
Our free 15-minute Expert Assessment is the starting point. One of our specialist solicitors will review your situation, identify the strongest UK GDPR grounds, and give you an honest assessment of what is achievable. There is no obligation and no cost. Call us on 0800 612 7211 or complete the form below.
UK GDPR / GDPR specialists
ICO enforcement experience
Article 17 right to erasure
Special category data expertise
25+ years data protection law
SRA regulated solicitors
Data broker removal
Free 15-min Expert Assessment
Is your personal data appearing in Google without your consent?
UK GDPR gives you enforceable rights. Our specialist solicitors will assess your case and identify the strongest legal grounds for erasure.
Call free: 0800 612 7211 | Lines open Monday–Friday 9am–6pm
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Real results achieved under data protection law
These outcomes were achieved by Cohen Davis Solicitors using the full range of legal tools available — UK GDPR, ICO complaints, legal correspondence, and direct engagement with Google and publishers.
- Chris — 1,017 pages removed from Google. "Your assistance and guidance is far beyond the value of any fees paid." A comprehensive erasure spanning multiple platforms and content types — achieved through persistent, legally grounded applications.
- HZ — 579 pages removed, California. "1000 thank yous for removing the pages." Cross-jurisdictional complexity navigated successfully with a deep understanding of UK GDPR's international reach.
- Diego — 28 pages removed; ICO case won. The ICO accepted "most if not all of the very cogent arguments" put forward by Cohen Davis — a clear demonstration of what expert legal argument can achieve in a contested erasure case.
About Cohen Davis Solicitors
Cohen Davis Solicitors is one of the UK's leading specialist internet law firms. Led by Yair Cohen, a solicitor with over 25 years of experience in data protection, online reputation, and internet law, the firm has built an unmatched track record in securing data erasure from Google and other online platforms.
We are SRA regulated, which means you benefit from the full protections of professional legal accountability. Unlike reputation management companies — which operate in an unregulated market and typically rely on informal requests and SEO tactics — we use the law. UK GDPR, the right to be forgotten, ICO enforcement, and, where necessary, the courts.
Our experience with the ICO is particularly important. When Google refuses a GDPR erasure request — which it frequently does — the ICO has the power to investigate and, in appropriate cases, require Google to comply. We have successfully guided clients through ICO complaints that resulted in forced removals. This is not a route that most people know exists, and even fewer know how to use effectively. We do.
Your data protection rights exist. Let us help you exercise them.
Free 15-minute Expert Assessment — no commitment, no pressure, just specialist legal advice.
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★★★★★
"Refreshingly — for a lawyer — Yair Cohen advised me not to hire him in this instance as it would not be a good investment of time and money. That kind of honest advice is rare and enormously reassuring."
Honest advice review
★★★★★
"I am absolutely delighted about the outcome of my right to be forgotten application. Cohen Davis achieved what I thought was impossible."
Right to be forgotten client
What personal data can be erased from Google under UK GDPR?
UK GDPR Article 17 sets out the grounds on which you can require erasure of your personal data. The most commonly applicable grounds in the context of Google and online content are that the data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, that the processing is unlawful, or that a compelling legitimate interest in retention no longer exists. Special category data — covering health, race, religion, sexual orientation and criminal convictions — attracts enhanced protection.
Cohen Davis Solicitors have experience securing erasure across all of the following data categories:
- UK GDPR Article 17 grounds applied to Google search results — data no longer necessary; consent withdrawn; unlawful processing; legal obligation; public interest grounds that no longer apply to the specific data.
- Special category data — information about your health condition, racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal convictions and allegations attracts the strongest protection under UK GDPR and the highest likelihood of successful erasure.
- Data broker listings — sites such as 192.com, Spokeo, Whitepages and electoral roll aggregators compile and publish personal profiles that are indexed by Google. We have substantial experience securing removal from these platforms and from Google's index of them.
- Financial data — County Court Judgments (CCJs), bankruptcy records, Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) and similar financial records that appear in Google search results may be erasable, particularly where they are historic and no longer reflect your current circumstances.
- Address and contact information — your home address, phone number, or email appearing on sites indexed by Google may constitute unlawful processing where you never consented to publication and where the publication causes harm.
- Employment history — outdated or inaccurate employment information, including references to former roles, disciplinary matters, or redundancies, appearing in Google results.
- Family information — details about family members, including children, that were published without consent and continue to be indexed.
- Historical personal content — articles, forum posts, social media content or other material from many years ago that no longer reflects who you are and that continues to appear prominently in search results for your name.
Does your situation match one of these common scenarios?
Your name, address and phone number appear on data broker sites indexed by Google
Data aggregator sites compile personal profiles from public records and sell or publish them. When Google indexes these pages, your home address and contact details become visible to anyone who searches your name. UK GDPR gives you the right to require erasure of this data — we know how to enforce it.
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) or bankruptcy record is appearing in Google
Financial records such as CCJs, bankruptcy orders and IVAs enter the public register — but their continued prominence in Google search results years after satisfaction may be a disproportionate processing of your personal data. We have successfully argued for removal of satisfied and historic financial records from Google's index.
A data breach has exposed your personal information and it is now indexed by Google
Where your personal data was disclosed in a data breach and has subsequently been indexed by Google, you have strong grounds under UK GDPR for erasure — the processing is unlawful from the outset. We can pursue removal from Google and, where possible, from the source site.
Sensitive personal data — health, religion, sexuality — appears in Google results
Special category data under UK GDPR receives the strongest legal protection. If information about your health condition, religious beliefs, racial background, or sexual orientation appears in Google search results without your consent, the legal grounds for erasure are particularly compelling. We have significant experience with special category data removal.
Old electoral roll data with your home address is showing in Google
Electoral roll data is a public record — but sites that aggregate and republish it in a format indexed by Google may be processing it unlawfully. We have successfully challenged both the aggregator sites and Google's indexing of them, securing removal of home addresses that were causing ongoing harm to clients.
A company you previously worked for has indexed personal information about you
Former employers sometimes retain old staff profiles, press releases, or HR-related content online that names you and appears in search results. Where this data is outdated or was published without adequate consent, UK GDPR provides a route to require erasure from both the employer's site and Google's index.
GDPR access request refused — you need legal support for an ICO complaint
If a data controller has refused your subject access request or your erasure request, you have the right to complain to the ICO. We prepare and conduct ICO complaints on behalf of clients — including the detailed legal submissions that give complaints the best chance of success. Where the ICO upholds the complaint, Google can be required to comply.
Data appears on a site registered outside the UK — can UK GDPR still apply?
Yes, in many cases it can. UK GDPR applies where processing targets UK residents or where the site uses cookies or tracking that falls within UK jurisdiction. We understand the jurisdictional dimensions of cross-border data protection law and can advise you on whether overseas sites and content are within the scope of UK GDPR erasure rights.
Why our GDPR erasure applications succeed: a legally grounded approach
Most GDPR erasure requests fail for the same reasons: they are submitted without identifying the correct legal ground; they do not address the data controller's likely objections; and they do not present the balancing exercise between your rights and any legitimate public interest in a way that Google's legal team will accept. We know this because we have reviewed thousands of refusals and built our methodology around what actually works.
Our approach begins with identifying the precise legal basis for erasure under UK GDPR Article 17 that applies to your specific data and your specific circumstances. We then craft an application that addresses each element of the balancing test that Google and the ICO will apply — proportionality, necessity, the sensitivity of the data, the harm caused, and the nature of any public interest claimed.
When Google refuses — which it often does on a first application — we do not simply resubmit the same request. We escalate. We have pursued ICO complaints that have resulted in Google being required to erase content it initially declined to touch. We have issued formal legal correspondence to publishers under UK GDPR that has resulted in voluntary removal. We pursue every available route and we document the process carefully so that, if necessary, we can take the matter further.
Special category data cases — involving health, religion, sexuality, race, or criminal conviction data — receive our particular attention. The legal protections are stronger, the grounds for erasure are clearer, and our track record in this specific category is strong.
UK GDPR gives you the right to be forgotten. We enforce it.
Our specialist solicitors will assess your case and give you a clear view of the legal grounds available — free of charge.
Call: 0800 612 7211 | Or request a callback below
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Why instruct a solicitor rather than making a GDPR request yourself?
| What you need |
Self-help GDPR request |
Cohen Davis Solicitors |
| Identifying the correct legal ground |
Most people select the wrong Article 17 ground, which leads to automatic refusal |
We identify the precise legal basis applicable to your data and your circumstances |
| Addressing Google's likely objections |
Generic requests do not engage with the balancing exercise Google applies |
Every application addresses proportionality, necessity and the public interest test directly |
| ICO complaints |
Most people do not know they can complain to the ICO or how to do so effectively |
We prepare and conduct full ICO complaints — including the legal submissions that make them succeed |
| Special category data |
The stronger protections for sensitive data are frequently not invoked correctly |
We apply the specific Article 9 special category protections where they apply, significantly increasing the prospects of erasure |
| Publisher erasure |
Individuals can request publisher removal but have little leverage on refusal |
Solicitor correspondence under UK GDPR carries legal weight; we pursue publisher erasure alongside Google removal |
| Outcome |
High refusal rate; process stalls at first refusal |
We pursue every available route — including ICO and legal proceedings — until the result is achieved or options are exhausted |
Specialist GDPR legal expertise. Real, verified removals. No obligation assessment.
Call 0800 612 7211 to speak with a specialist solicitor today.
Request Your Free Expert Assessment
★★★★★
"Fantastic team of internet lawyers — incredibly helpful, robust and hugely knowledgeable. They achieved a result I genuinely believed was out of reach."
David Baum
★★★★★
"From start to finish very refreshing. Friendly, efficient, professional and very informative. I wish I had contacted Cohen Davis sooner."
Verified client
Frequently asked questions
GDPR right to erasure from Google
What is the GDPR right to erasure (right to be forgotten)?
The right to erasure — commonly known as the right to be forgotten — is set out in Article 17 of UK GDPR (and its EU equivalent). It gives individuals the right to request that a data controller, including Google, erases personal data about them in certain circumstances. These include where the data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, where you withdraw consent, where the processing is unlawful, or where a compelling legitimate interest in retaining the data has ceased. It is not an absolute right — it is subject to a balancing exercise — but when the grounds are clearly established, it is enforceable.
How do I make a GDPR erasure request to Google?
Google provides an online form for right to be forgotten requests. However, simply submitting the form with basic information is very unlikely to result in removal. Google applies a detailed balancing test to every request, and requests that do not engage with the relevant legal grounds or address the public interest question are routinely declined. Working with a specialist solicitor ensures your request is framed in a way that Google's legal team will take seriously — identifying the precise legal ground, addressing the proportionality test, and presenting the strongest available argument for the specific content in question.
What if Google refuses my erasure request?
A refusal from Google is not the end of the road. There are multiple routes available following a Google refusal: you can submit a more detailed application with additional legal arguments; you can complain to the ICO, which has the power to require Google to erase the data; or, in appropriate cases, you can pursue legal proceedings. We guide clients through all of these options and have successfully achieved removal in cases where Google's initial refusal seemed final.
Can the ICO force Google to comply with an erasure request?
Yes. The ICO has enforcement powers under the UK GDPR that allow it to require data controllers, including Google, to comply with erasure requests. When the ICO upholds a complaint, it can issue an enforcement notice requiring Google to erase the relevant data. This is not a common outcome — the ICO investigates complaints carefully and does not uphold every case — but where the legal arguments are strong, it is a real and powerful route. Cohen Davis Solicitors have experience preparing ICO complaints that have resulted in this outcome.
Does UK GDPR apply to overseas websites appearing in UK Google?
UK GDPR has extraterritorial reach. It applies to the processing of personal data of UK residents, regardless of where the controller is established, where that processing is related to the offering of goods or services to UK residents or the monitoring of their behaviour in the UK. In practice, this means that many overseas websites — particularly those targeting a UK audience — are subject to UK GDPR. We advise on the jurisdictional aspects of each case and identify the appropriate route where overseas sites are involved.
What is special category data and does it get stronger protection?
Special category data is defined in Article 9 of UK GDPR and includes personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data, health data, sex life or sexual orientation, and criminal convictions and offences. Processing of special category data is generally prohibited unless a specific additional condition is met. Where special category data appears in Google search results without a clear legal basis for processing, the grounds for erasure are significantly strengthened. We specifically identify and invoke special category protections where they apply.
Can I use GDPR to remove data broker listings from Google?
Yes, in many cases. Data brokers compile personal profiles from public sources — electoral rolls, company records, court records, social media — and publish them on websites indexed by Google. Where this processing is unlawful or disproportionate, UK GDPR provides grounds for erasure. We have experience both in challenging the data broker sites directly and in securing removal of those pages from Google's index, even where the broker itself has declined to remove the content.
How long does Google have to respond to a GDPR erasure request?
Under UK GDPR, data controllers must respond to erasure requests within one month. This period can be extended by a further two months where the request is complex or numerous, but the controller must inform you of the extension and the reasons for it within the first month. In practice, Google typically responds within a few weeks. Where it refuses, it must provide reasons. Our applications are designed to pre-empt the most common refusal grounds, but where a refusal is received we advise quickly on the next steps.
About the free Expert Assessment
What happens during the free Expert Assessment?
One of our specialist solicitors will spend up to 15 minutes with you — by phone or video call — reviewing the specific data or content you want removed, identifying the applicable UK GDPR grounds, and giving you an honest assessment of what is achievable and how. There is no obligation to proceed and no cost for the assessment whatsoever.
Do I need to prepare anything before the call?
It helps to have the URLs of the content or pages you are concerned about to hand. If you know which site or platform hosts the data, that is useful too. But do not let lack of preparation prevent you from calling — our solicitors can identify and review the relevant content quickly during the call itself.
Is my enquiry confidential?
Completely. Everything you tell us is covered by solicitor-client confidentiality. We do not share your details with third parties, we do not publicise client cases without explicit consent, and we treat every enquiry with the utmost discretion. Your privacy is our professional obligation.
How quickly can you begin work on my case if I decide to instruct you?
We can begin work immediately upon instruction. The timeline for achieving erasure depends on the complexity of the case, the number of URLs involved, and how Google and any publishers respond. We will provide you with a realistic timetable at the assessment stage so you know what to expect.
UK GDPR gives you a legally enforceable right to erasure. Exercise it.
Free 15-minute Expert Assessment with a specialist data protection solicitor. No obligation. No cost.
Call: 0800 612 7211 | Or complete the form below for a callback
Request Your Free Assessment Now
What our clients say
★★★★★
"Your assistance and guidance is far beyond the value of any fees paid. What you achieved for me was genuinely life-changing."
Chris — 1,017 pages removed from Google
★★★★★
"1000 thank yous for removing the pages. I had almost given up hope."
HZ — 579 pages removed, California
★★★★★
"The ICO accepted most if not all of the very cogent arguments put forward. An exceptional result."
Diego — 28 pages removed; ICO case won
★★★★★
"Giving my family… you have given us our lives back."
Eric — 3 pages removed
★★★★★
"Excellent solicitors, very professional and delivered wonderful results."
Martin — 13 pages removed
★★★★★
"Excellent, professional service delivered within a tight timeline."
Thomas — 4 pages removed (repeat client)
★★★★★
"I hope never to need their services again but I would recommend them without hesitation."
Edwin — New York, 2 pages removed
★★★★★
"Exceptionally professional and swift with my case. The outcome exceeded my expectations."
Ms J.J — New York
★★★★★
"My future happiness depended on the work of this company and they more than delivered."
Mr B.G — Nottingham
★★★★★
"The result has been fantastic and the best I could have hoped for."
Dr B.Y — Bradford
★★★★★
"Very pleased with the services provided by Cohen Davis. Professional throughout."
Mr E.P — Jersey, Channel Islands
★★★★★
"Fantastic team of internet lawyers — incredibly helpful, robust and hugely knowledgeable."
David Baum
★★★★★
"Your team and professional services are excellent and I actually really enjoyed my conversation with the solicitor."
Mrs S.L
★★★★★
"I am absolutely delighted about the outcome of my right to be forgotten application."
Right to be forgotten client
★★★★★
"Refreshingly — for a lawyer — Yair Cohen advised me not to hire him in this instance as it would not be a good investment of time and money. That kind of honesty is extraordinary."
Honest advice review
How the process works
Step 1 — Free Expert Assessment
A specialist solicitor reviews the data you want erased, identifies the applicable UK GDPR grounds, and gives you an honest view of the prospects and process. No cost, no obligation, up to 15 minutes.
Step 2 — Legal Erasure Application
We prepare a legally grounded UK GDPR Article 17 application tailored to your specific data and circumstances. We handle all correspondence with Google, the publisher, and any data broker — including follow-up when initial responses are received.
Step 3 — Escalation Where Needed
Where Google or a publisher declines to erase, we escalate — through ICO complaints, formal legal correspondence, or further legal routes — until erasure is achieved or all legitimate options are exhausted and we advise you accordingly.
Fees and transparency
The free Expert Assessment carries no charge and no obligation. If we recommend proceeding with a UK GDPR erasure application, we will provide you with a clear written estimate of costs before you commit to anything.
Our fees are fixed where possible. The cost depends on the volume of URLs, the complexity of the legal arguments, the sensitivity of the data, and whether escalation — such as an ICO complaint or publisher correspondence — is required. We explain all costs clearly at the outset.
As SRA regulated solicitors, we are bound by professional obligations on costs transparency. You will always know what you are paying, what you are getting, and what the realistic prospects are. We do not take cases we do not believe have genuine prospects of success.