Google today communicated new policies and updates that seek to help protect security and privacy of minors using Google products and services. These novelties are going to be implemented “in the coming months”.
One of the main novelties is that a policy will be implemented that will allow minors under 18 years of age, their parents or guardians, to request the removal of their images on Google Images, which will give you more control over your images on the web.
It should be remembered that the platform does not allow anyone under the age of 13 create a standard Google account. There are also features like Family Link where parents can set up supervised accounts for their children, as well as set screen time limits and other rules.
There is also YouTube Kids, which is the video platform par excellence, but intended for minors (a few months ago Google had announced changes). These among other functions aimed at minors, but that does not make the platform exempt from serious problems.
Greater control over fingerprint
The objective of the news announced today is to give “greater control of minors over their own fingerprint.” Therefore, in the coming weeks, a policy will be introduced that will allow those under 18 years of age, or their fathers, mothers or guardians, request removal of your images from Google Images results.
Of course, as the signature remembers “remove an image from Search results it does not remove it from the Web, but we think this new feature will give young people more control over their images on the Internet. ”
Other news announced today
Other of the main security news announced by Google and aimed at minors are these:
Youtube. The default upload settings will be gradually adjusted to the highest privacy option available to 13-17 year olds. In addition, the Digital Wellbeing functions will be more visible.
Google search: The platform has several systems, tools and policies designed to help people find content on the web without having to view adult content that they have not searched. An example is the Safe Search function that when activated, helps to filter the results so that explicit content does not appear. It is already active by default for all users under the age of 13 who have accounts managed through Family Link. In the coming months it will be activated for all users under 18 years of age.
Attendee: In the coming months, this Safe Search technology will be applied to the web browser of smart screens.
Location history: Location History is disabled by default for all accounts and those under 13 do not have the option to enable it. The next step will be to extend this configuration to all users under 18 years of age around the world, that is, the Location History will remain deactivated and cannot be activated.
Changes in advertising. The goal will be to expand protections that prevent age-sensitive ad categories from being shown to children. Ad targeting will be blocked based on age, gender or interests.