In a world where every click is stored forever, every ‘like’ is recorded indefinitely, every search is tracked to eternity: the right to be forgotten is perhaps the most important online right of all,” wrote Evgeny Morozov in *The Guardian*. As our personal histories continue to make their way onto the internet, individuals are just beginning to consider how much information about themselves should be visible to the rest of the world – and to what end it will be usable.”
Understanding the Concept: The Importance of Coming to Terms in the Digital Age
Right to be Forgotten also referred to as Right to Erasure, this right refers to the capacity of one individual to request the deletion of some of his or her personal details on online sites and databases, mainly if the information is outdated, inaccurate, and irreverent to the particular individual. It came to limelight with the case of delisting results on Google as ruled by the European Court of Justice in 2014.
In this highly interconnected world, personal data circulates at an unprecedented pace. A small blip from adolescence, an ex from a past relationship, an incorrectly stated news article, or even just a picture could be remembered for all of eternity. It’s simply not possible for the internet to remember on its own – hence why it’s so important for the right of erasure, or digital detox button, to exist.
Why the Right to Be Forgotten Is Relevant Now
As the presence of social media, digital footprints, and online archives grows, the line dividing the past from the future becomes blurred. This is of particular importance for those who have ever been charged with a frivolous complaint, have had their past coverage in the news as a negative headline, or have come to the unwanted attention of the general population because of a public database.
The right to be forgotten protects a person from these digital dangers. It means that one does not want their identity—even in the manner in which they are defined in a search engine—permanently set by Google’s algorithms. The right to be forgotten is especially important in this age of cancel culture and harmful judgment without time to correct and think about previous behavior and circumstance. It gives a person a chance to redefine themselves without their past dictating their future.
A Delicate Balance: Privacy vs. Freedom of Information
Though the right to be forgotten is a very important issue, it also poses several questions regarding the balance between the right to privacy and the right to access information. Though there are critics of the right to be forgotten, as it may lead to censorship, especially if it involves a public figure wanting to remove critical information, the right to be forgotten is not a right to remove history but to remove links that are no longer relevant to a search.
The law helps each nation maintain this fine line. For instance, information that involves public matters, criminal activity, and information of high public concern may not be eligible for deletion. The aim of the procedure involves the concept of proportionality: the information may no longer be necessary, relevant, just, or true for it to be erased. In this light, the right to be forgotten gives an individual the right to request an amendment or for the information to be deleted.
How Individuals Can Use This Right
Despite being a right most visible in a regulatory jurisdiction such as GDPR, it is slowly increasing in awareness around the world. Several of the world’s largest online platforms have started to allow a “right to be forgotten” through data delisting requests. Search engines have taken to providing forms where a requester may stipulate a motive regarding particular information they wish to be suppressed from search engine results. Social networking sites have started to allow a user to remove postings, withdraw privileges, or remove personal information. Legal mechanisms in several nations have started to support a “right to be forgotten,” thereby allowing an individual to ask for delisting of particularly sensitive personal data from public and private sites.
Even more, this battle is not limited to organizations but also pertains to individuals who are fighting in order to exercise their “right to be forgotten.” Following this evaluation, these platforms can limit access, delete links, or even delete data. This is not only important when it comes to reputation but is equally important with regard to emotional well-being, reducing stress related to digital presence.
The Future of Digital Privacy and Personal Freedom “The right to be forgotten” may become an important right as our cyber existence becomes more and more interconnected with our offline existence. Today, due to the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and deep search, more information than ever before has been stored. If means are not taken to control how long this information remains in the public domain, our right to freedom could be violated. Thus, the future of digital rights must entail greater protection and awareness concerning the ability to protect one’s data online. The “right to be forgotten” is definitely not about trying to hide the truth, but about giving people the opportunity to not have their lifetime reputation tainted by their past actions, as the internet makes it possible. It represents a transition to a compassionate form of cyber governance, one which recognizes the ability of humanity to change and the desire to have a second chance.
