Dutch real estate entrepreneur loses bid to remove criminal conviction article from Google search results

What this means in practice

Professionals with a criminal record face considerable difficulties in winning right to be forgotten cases when the information is relevant to their professional practice and is published in a context of societal relevance. Companies must be aware that their criminal history may remain discoverable online, particularly if it is related to their business activities. This ruling clarifies how courts handle right to be forgotten cases involving the publication of criminal information about professionals in the context of matters of societal concern. It demonstrates the high evidentiary burden for establishing inaccuracies and the importance of the professional context in the balancing of interests.