Damaging Search Engine Information.

[McKenzieFriend]

Hi

 

Please excuse me if this is not the right area for my query, I am new to the site.

 

I have 2 friends that have been in prison, they have dearly paid for their crimes both in custodial sentences and extremely large fines. Both of them are now supposed to be 'Free' and they have been released (one of them nearly 5 years ago) some time.

 

The issue for them is a) When they were going through the legal process their cases were put on the web by newspapers and others. b) When anyone does a search these blatantly incorrect and extremely damaging and biased reports are found fairly high up the search engines even 5 years after the effect.

 

The individuals involved have tried to contact the webmasters at these organisations but they just don't reply. Whilst we know they have committed a crime, what is the rehabilitation of offenders act for if not to allow them to try and re integrate back into society.

 

They are not sure who or what they can do (if anything) to have these incorrect, old, obsolete and damaging reports removed from the web.

 

Could anyone offer any advice even on what legal process could be followed. I know you could try and seek a court injunction to get content removed from search engines, but this legal process appears to be mainly for copyright type infringements, the law for anything else seems a little un clear.

 

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

Best Regards,

John.

[BazzaS]

Hi

 

Please excuse me if this is not the right area for my query, I am new to the site.

 

I have 2 friends that have been in prison, they have dearly paid for their crimes both in custodial sentences and extremely large fines. Both of them are now supposed to be 'Free' and they have been released (one of them nearly 5 years ago) some time.

 

The issue for them is a) When they were going through the legal process their cases were put on the web by newspapers and others. b) When anyone does a search these blatantly incorrect and extremely damaging and biased reports are found fairly high up the search engines even 5 years after the effect.

 

The individuals involved have tried to contact the webmasters at these organisations but they just don't reply. Whilst we know they have committed a crime, what is the rehabilitation of offenders act for if not to allow them to try and re integrate back into society.

 

They are not sure who or what they can do (if anything) to have these incorrect, old, obsolete and damaging reports removed from the web.

 

Could anyone offer any advice even on what legal process could be followed. I know you could try and seek a court injunction to get content removed from search engines, but this legal process appears to be mainly for copyright type infringements, the law for anything else seems a little un clear.

 

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

Best Regards,

John.

 

The Rehab of Offenders (RoO) legislation means the Offender can regard offences as 'spent', and they won't have to be disclosed on (non-exempt) applications nor show on basic and standard DBS checks once spent.

 

It isn't that they get erased (for example they show on an enhanced DBS check, even if 'spent'), and must be disclosed on "exempt from RoO" applications.

 

There is little they can do to prevent people doing web searches on them.

What they can do is to do their own searches on themselves and list the incorrect information.

 

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/files/factsheets/factsheet_data_protection_en.pdf

 

They are unlikely to be able to remove truthful citations that note any significant criminality.

[citizenB]

I have moved your thread to General Legal issues, I think although Bazza has answered your question, you might also receive more notice in the correct forum

 

You need do nothing, it is purely administrative and you will still be able to find and post on your thread.

[SabreSheep]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27394751

[citizenB]

 

http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/remove-name-from-search-engines/

 

Another link that might help.