The right to de-listing in questions

07 April 2020

Who can exercise it? How? What are its limitations? What can you do in the event of refusal? When should you contact the CNIL?

What is de-listing?

De-listing enables removal of one or more results provided by a search engine following a request based on an individual’s identity (surname and first name).

Such removal does not delete the information from the source website: the original content remains unchanged and is still accessible using other search criteria or by going directly to the website that originally published it.

Where did the right to de-listing originate?


How do you exercise the right?


Do search engines always have to agree to a de-listing request?


What criteria enable search engines to assess requests on a case-by-case basis?


Is the right to de-listing systematic if “sensitive data” is concerned?


Is the right to de-listing systematic if data includes offences and criminal convictions?


What geographical reach does de-listing have?


What can you do if the search engine refuses your request?


What role does the CNIL play?


Document reference

Infographics – De-listing search-engine content concerning me