Google Denied Your Removal Request — What Are Your Options?

Google Said No — Now What?

Google denies the majority of right to be forgotten requests. If your request was rejected, that does not mean you have no legal options. Dutch courts have overruled Google's decisions in numerous cases.

Why Google Denies Requests

Common reasons for denial include:

• Google considers the information to be in the public interest
• The information relates to your professional capacity
• The information is considered recent or still relevant
• Google cannot verify your identity

Your Three Options After a Denial

Option 1: Appeal to Google

You can submit additional arguments or evidence to Google. Sometimes a more detailed explanation of your personal circumstances can change the outcome.

Option 2: Complaint to the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens

The Dutch Data Protection Authority can investigate whether Google's refusal is justified. This is a free procedure, but it can take months.

Option 3: Court Proceedings

The fastest and most effective route. You can request a preliminary injunction (kort geding) from a Dutch court. Our analysis shows that courts overrule Google in approximately 84% of well-prepared cases.

What Makes a Strong Court Case?

Based on our analysis of all Dutch court rulings:

• Strong cases: Old criminal data, medical information, private individuals, outdated information
• Weaker cases: Public figures, recent events, professional misconduct, journalistic content

Timeline and Costs

A preliminary injunction typically takes 2-4 weeks from filing to hearing. Legal costs vary, but in successful cases, Google is usually ordered to pay a significant portion of your legal fees.

How MediaMaze Can Help

We analyze your situation against all known Dutch court rulings and give you an honest assessment of your chances. Contact us for a free case evaluation.