Milan Court Orders Google to Overhaul Right-to-Be-Forgotten Process by Late 2026

The Court of Milan delivered a landmark judgment against Google in a collective injunction filed by the non-profit digital-rights association Algopolio concerning EU right-to-be-forgotten rules. The ruling compels Google to fundamentally restructure its handling of de-indexing requests, ending reliance on overly standardized, automated answers. When the company rejects a request to remove a search link tied to an individual's name, it must now supply an explicit, personalized justification.

The new system must also allow requesters to upload supporting documents to substantiate their claims. All procedural reforms are to be in place by 15 November 2026, ensuring compliance with GDPR Articles 17 (right to erasure) and 21 (right to object). A Google spokesperson said the company disagrees with the decision and will vigorously defend its actions in court.