We as a species have managed to evolve our surroundings for utmost convenience and freedom, but at what costs? The overwhelming power of the internet has connected individuals across the globe with each other. But it also poses a tremendous threat to your privacy and personal information. Imagine having your marriage records or, perhaps, a mugshot from an exceptionally adventurous outing on the internet for, quite possibly, everyone in the world to see. Now you might be wondering just how and why your public records ended up on the internet in the first place.
Well, here is a simple explanation: some countries like the United States of America allow for these records to be available to the public. Court proceedings and other records are allowed through laws and regulations to be published and viewed online. There are, however, exceptions to these laws when an individual opts to keep their records private and out of sight from the public.
Removing public records from the internet may seem like a daunting task, but trust us, it’s worth it. Well, for starters, the records found online easily display confidential information about your life as well as the cause for said instance such as records of divorce, arrest, etc. These records hold a large variety of information that can be easily taken and reposted to other websites. These third-party websites have no correlation to the legal systems and publish any court documents they find. Most of these sites will remove the information as long as they receive your request.
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STEPS FOR REMOVING PUBLIC RECORDS FROM GOOGLE
Expunging and sealing public records can be catered to if the case is eligible enough. Normally this process requires the pressing of a button, endless phone calls, and input of more information regarding yourself. Here are two easy steps to remove your public court or criminal records with help from Google.
- Begin by presenting a case to Google with all necessary information and proof of where your records are being displayed and the reason for their removal.
- Once your inquiry has been investigated Google will remove or hide your records.
PUBLIC RECORDS VISIBILITY
Records that are presented through official agencies can not be deleted until expunged or sealed. But you can decrease your public record footprint further by taking these steps:
- Get a PO Box
Renting a PO box will help reduce the risk of your home address being known. Receive all your packages and documents at a PO box at your local post office so no records show your actual home address.
- Online Payments
Opt for paying your bills online to prevent any bills from being delivered to your address. Request for digital receipts and also revel in the convenience of paying digitally.
- Conceal your Phone Number
Have two separate numbers for business and personal life to prevent your personal mobile number from being leaked and distributed. Proceed by distributing only your business number to services or acquaintances.
The degree of difficulty in removing criminal or court records depends on the reason for their existence, this includes the type of public record whether it is a criminal or civil case:
- The severity of the committed crime;
- Need for the public to access these records;
- Statute of limitations or timeline stating the creation of the record;
- Costs incurred from removing the public record.
REMOVING CRIMINAL RECORDS
Criminal case records, especially for adults, normally submitted by local district attorneys are published online. For individuals under the age of 18, juvenile records are not normally published. If these records find their way online, private information of the accused is not presented. But criminal records can be easily accessed by employers or any other individual, this can lower the chances of employment or setting leases for a home.
Therefore the removal or expunging of some records can limit access to the public so no one is harmed or discriminated against. However, this is offered to those with minor offenses and misdemeanors, not to all those convicted and charged. Harsh crimes such as violence, sexual offenses, child abuse, or other felonies are less likely to be removed or hidden to promote the safety of the general public.