Google called Russia a leader in the number of requests for information removal

At the end of 2016, the Russian authorities 13.2 thousand times asked Google to delete information from the search engine. Thus, Russia became the leader of the Transparency Report rating , in which the company analyzes the number of data deletion requests.

As noted by RBC, which drew attention to the study, this indicator in the year in the country grew by 478%. At the same time, more than half of the total number of requests around the world (22.5 thousand) accounts for requests from Russia.

In 85% of requests, the Russian side calls “national security” the basis for removing information. To limit access to information, “criticizing representatives of the authorities”, they ask for 5%. Another 2% of requests are associated with propaganda of suicide and other violations of the legislation.

It is noted that Google approved 74% of applications, after which it deleted the mentioned resources or limited access to them.

Earlier, according to the results of the second half of 2016, a similar rating was presented by Twitter. In it, Russia took third place after France and Turkey. It was noted that during this period the company received 522 requests to delete information from the Russian authorities and public organizations.

From January 1, 2016, the law on the “right to oblivion” entered into force in Russia. Citizens may demand from the search engines to remove from issuing a link to false information and information that is recognized as “having lost value for the applicant due to subsequent events”, including data on crimes in case of repaid criminal record.

If companies reject requests, citizens have the right to file a lawsuit. Fines for violation of the law can reach 1 million rubles.