Common arguments against the right to be forgotten

Controversy surrounds the very concept of an individual’s right to be forgotten and ability to remove data from search engines.

Those arguing against the right to be forgotten in terms of data protection question the practicalities of treating such a right as an actionable, international human right.

Vague and differing regulations and differing rulings regarding its implementation contribute towards the ambiguity of applying this as a human right in practical terms.

The potential impact of such a right on other rights also causes controversy. For example, how is it possible to square the right to be forgotten with the right to freedom of expression? Furthermore, how does it work with the right to privacy and is it possible that the implementation of the right to be forgotten would lead to a less high-quality search function?

However, those who argue for the right to be forgotten citing circumstances such as revenge porn and the damage it does to people as a clear reason for it to exist. The same argument in favour includes instances of search results picking up someone’s past criminal convictions or personally identifiable information.